Veteran Left the Leader Sitaram Yechury's Legacy Continues as Through Body Donation
New Delhi: Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday afternoon after a three-week battle with respiratory issues at AIIMS in New Delhi. At 72 years old, Yechury’s family has honored of his wishes by donating his body to the hospital for research and educational purposes. AIIMS confirmed that the donation, stating, “Sitaram Yechury, aged 72, was admitted to AIIMS on August 19, 2024, with pneumonia and died on September 12, 2024, at 3:05 PM. His body will be handed over to the hospital on Friday for teaching and research.”
Following a Tradition
By donating of his body, Yechury continues a tradition among to prominent Left leaders. Notably, the bodies of former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his predecessor Jyoti Basu were also donated to medical institutions. Bhattacharjee, who passed away at age 80 last month, had pledged his body to Ganadarpan, an NGO, in 2006. Similarly, Jyoti Basu had pledged his body in 2003, which was subsequently donated to SSKM Hospital after his death in 2010.
Contributions to Science and Education
The practice of body donation is a valuable contribution to medical science and education. Donated bodies are utilized by medical colleges and hospitals for research, helping advance scientific knowledge, training future doctors, and developing new surgical techniques.
Political Tributes
Sitaram Yechury’s passing has elicited tributes from across the political spectrum. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, described Yechury as a “protector of the Idea of India,” while Union Minister Nitin Gadkari lauded his enduring contributions. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, despite political differences, expressed her condolences on X, stating, “Sad to know that Sri Sitaram Yechury has passed away. I knew the veteran parliamentarian that he was, and his demise will be a loss for national politics. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
A Legacy in Politics and Beyond
Yechury’s political career began with the CPI(M)’s student wing in 1975. Over the years, he became a significant figure in the party’s decision-making bodies, including the Politburo, where he served for three decades. His dedication to both politics and science will be remembered through his contributions to medical research and his impactful role in Indian politics.
Sitaram Yechury: Left stalwart who made Indira Gandhi resign as JNU chancellor
In October 1977, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) became the epicenter of a significant to political upheaval. The university’s students, galvanized by their union president Sitaram Yechury, staged to a dramatic protest at the residence of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Their demand was straightforward: Gandhi’s resignation as the university’s chancellor. This was a pivotal moment; despite of her defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi retained of her position, which was a point of a contention given the political context following the Emergency.
The standoff between the protesters and Gandhi created a memorable scene. Gandhi, unfazed and steadfast, stood beside as of Yechury as he presented the memorandum demanding her resignation. This confrontation marked by the beginning of Yechury’s ascent in Indian politics. Within a few days, Gandhi resigned from her post, and Yechury’s role in this historic protest set to the stage for his future prominence.
Sitaram Yechury, known as affectionately as SRY among of his supporters, passed away in Delhi on Thursday at the age of 72. He had been receiving treatment for a severe respiratory infection at AIIMS. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian politics, where he had been a formidable figure in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
Born on August 12, 1952, in Madras, Yechury was raised in a family with a strong academic and professional background. His father was an engineer, and his mother held a government position. The political landscape of Andhra Pradesh, coupled with the unrest over the Telangana statehood movement, led Yechury to relocate to Delhi during his formative years. His educational journey saw him through a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, where he first encountered Prakash Karat, a fellow communist. Yechury furthered his studies with a Master’s in Economics from JNU in 1975.
Yechury’s immersion in the communist ideology began early. His time at JNU was formative; it was here that he honed his political acumen and joined the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), in 1974. Remarkably, he was the first SFI president not hailing from the traditional strongholds of West Bengal or Kerala, reflecting the growing influence of the communist movement beyond these regions. Yechury was inducted into the CPI(M) the following year.
The imposition of the Emergency in 1975 was a turning point. Yechury, deeply involved in resistance activities, went underground and was arrested for his role in the resistance. This period of upheaval forced him to discontinue his PhD studies. Yet, his commitment to politics remained unwavering. After the Emergency’s end, Yechury was elected JNU students’ union president three times between 1977 and 1978, marking his rapid rise within the party.
Yechury’s political career took off swiftly. By the age of 32, he had become a member of the CPI(M) central committee. His influence continued to grow, and by 40, he had secured a position on the politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body. His leadership was instrumental during challenging times for the party, including the loss of power in West Bengal in 2011 after 34 years of governance and the subsequent loss in Tripura in 2018, where the CPI(M) had ruled for 25 years.
In the year 2015, Yechury took over as the CPI(M) general secretary during a period of considerable decline for the party. His tenure was marked by efforts to rejuvenate the party and navigate it through a period of significant electoral setbacks. Despite his efforts, the broader Left Front struggled to gain ground, with the CPI(M) holding power only in Kerala and having a limited presence in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Throughout his career, Yechury was a staunch advocate of coalition politics. He played a key role in crafting the common minimum programs for the United Front government in 1996 and the Manmohan Singh-led UPA governments in 2004 and 2009. His strategic acumen in coalition politics was a testament to his understanding of the complexities of Indian political dynamics.
In addition to his political activities, Yechury was a prolific writer. His works include titles such as “Left Hand Drive,” “What is this Hindu Rashtra,” “Socialism in the 21st Century,” and “Communalism vs Secularism.” These writings reflect his deep engagement with political theory and his perspective on the evolving landscape of Indian politics.
Yechury is survived by his wife, Seema Chishti, a respected journalist, and their three children. His passing is a significant loss to Indian politics, marking the end of an era for the CPI(M) and the broader Left movement in India. Yechury’s legacy will be remembered for his strategic insights, his resilience in the face of political adversity, and his unwavering commitment to his ideological convictions.