Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Veteran Communist leader and General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sitaram Yechury, passed away today at the age of 72. Yechury, who had been undergoing treatment for a pneumonia-like chest infection at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi since August 19, breathed his last in the hospital’s intensive care unit. His demise has left a void in the political landscape of India, with leaders from across party lines expressing their condolences.
Yechury, a prominent figure in the leftist movement in India, is survived by his wife, senior journalist Seema Chishti, daughter Akhila, and son Daanish. He had suffered a personal tragedy in 2021 when his elder son, Ashish Yechury, succumbed to COVID-19 at the age of 34.
Known for his eloquence and strong presence in both parliamentary and street-level activism, Yechury was a towering figure in modern Indian politics. His contributions to political discourse, especially his role in shaping the CPI-M’s strategies, have left a lasting impact on the country’s political sphere.
The Truth Behind the Viral Image with Indira Gandhi
Following his passing, an old photograph of Sitaram Yechury with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has resurfaced online, often accompanied by misleading claims. The viral posts allege that the photo was taken during the Emergency in 1975, when Indira Gandhi supposedly entered Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), assaulted Yechury, and forced him to resign as president of the JNU Students’ Union for protesting against the Emergency.
However, this narrative is false. The image was taken in 1977, after the Emergency had ended. At that time, Yechury was leading a student protest demanding Indira Gandhi’s resignation as JNU’s chancellor. Despite losing the Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi continued to hold the position, prompting widespread protests among students. The photograph captures Yechury reading out the students’ demands to Gandhi outside her residence.
Yechury’s political career, which began with the Students’ Federation of India in the 1970s, was closely linked to JNU, where he played a key role in student politics. He was arrested during the Emergency but went on to become one of the most influential leaders in the Communist Party.
Political Leaders Pay Tribute
As news of Yechury’s passing spread, leaders from across the political spectrum offered their condolences. Yechury’s contribution to Indian politics, his firm stance on issues of social justice, and his unwavering commitment to leftist principles have been widely praised.
