Sitaram Yechury (1952 – 2024)
Sitaram Yechury, a towering figure in Indian communist politics and General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), passed away on 12 September 2024 at the age of 72. He had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi, for a severe respiratory infection. Known for his affable personality, strategic political acumen, and unwavering dedication to Marxism, Yechury played a pivotal role in shaping India’s left-wing politics for over four decades.
Born on 12 August 1952 in Chennai, Yechury was deeply influenced by the political currents of the 1970s. His political journey began with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in 1974. His leadership during his student days at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he was elected President of the Students’ Union three times, showcased his skills in activism and organising. In 1975, Yechury was arrested during the Emergency, a moment that defined his lifelong commitment to political resistance and democratic principles.
Yechury joined CPI(M) in 1975 and quickly rose through the ranks. He became a member of the party’s Politburo in 1992 and later assumed the role of General Secretary in 2015, succeeding Prakash Karat. He was instrumental in forging political alliances, most notably playing a key role in forming the United Front government in 1996 and supporting the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2004. More recently, he was a central figure in the creation of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties aimed at countering the BJP.
His tenure as a Rajya Sabha member from 2005 to 2017 was marked by eloquent speeches, sharp critiques of government policies, and a firm stance against the BJP-RSS’s ideology. Yechury’s critique of policies such as lateral entry into the bureaucracy highlighted his concerns about the undermining of India’s constitutional framework.
Sitaram Yechury’s loss is felt not only by the CPI(M) but by political forces across the spectrum. Known for his ability to bridge ideological divides, he garnered respect from political friends and foes alike. His passing is particularly poignant as it comes at a time when the Left is trying to reclaim its space in Indian politics.
He leaves behind a profound legacy of political integrity and leadership, alongside his wife, Indrani Mazumdar, and their daughter Akhila. His son Ashish tragically passed away in 2021 due to COVID-19 complications.
Yechury’s death marks the end of an era for the Indian Left, and his contributions to India’s political fabric will be remembered for years to come. (India Today) (National Herald).
