Sitaram Yechury, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), was known for his commitment to ensuring that India’s Rajya Sabha acted as a check on potentially flawed legislation. His wit often surfaced, like when he joked that the red carpet in the Rajya Sabha symbolized the need to “red-light” faulty bills approved by the green-carpeted Lok Sabha.
Yechury passed away at the age of 72 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences after battling a respiratory tract infection, marking the first time a CPI(M) general secretary died while in office. A leader known for voicing his beliefs, Yechury often stood firm on his principles, even if they contradicted his own party’s stance. One such instance was his resistance to the Left’s decision to withdraw support from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2008. Yechury argued that the Left should stay engaged with the secular government to gain credit for progressive reforms like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Right to Information Act. Despite his efforts, the CPI(M) withdrew its support, leaving Yechury and other moderates disappointed.
Yechury’s political journey began in the 1970s at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he was a student leader who famously demanded Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s resignation during the Emergency. He continued to rise in the CPI(M) ranks, eventually becoming the party’s general secretary in 2015. Under his leadership, the Left bloc secured significant wins in Kerala’s assembly elections in both 2016 and 2021. However, the party faced setbacks in West Bengal and Tripura, where it once held power for decades.
Despite the CPI(M)’s shrinking political base, Yechury maintained considerable influence, especially within the Congress leadership. He forged close ties with leaders such as Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, leading to moments of tension within his own party. Rahul Gandhi, in a tribute to Yechury, acknowledged their long discussions, calling him a “protector of the Idea of India.”
Yechury’s diplomatic skills were evident in his role in the UPA-Left coordination committee, where he worked to bridge ideological differences between the CPI(M) and Congress. Unlike some of his more rigid colleagues, Yechury believed in maintaining dialogue, even when it came to controversial policies like the India-US nuclear deal.
In 2019, Yechury made headlines as the first political leader to enter Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, armed with a Supreme Court order that allowed him to meet his ailing comrade Yusuf Tarigami.
Yechury’s legacy as a socialist and secularist was shaped by his admiration for figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Fidel Castro. He often educated younger CPI(M) members about Gandhi’s ability to unite diverse segments of Indian society, particularly highlighting the genius behind the Salt March.
As a parliamentarian, Yechury was respected for his intellect and the quality of debate he brought to the Rajya Sabha. The late Arun Jaitley, a BJP leader, fondly remembered Yechury’s contributions to parliamentary discussions, noting his ability to elevate debates.
In his personal life, Yechury suffered a devastating loss when his son Asish Yechury passed away due to Covid-19 in 2021. Yechury is survived by his wife, journalist Seema Chishti, daughter Akhila, and son Daanish. His death marks the end of an era for the CPI(M) and the broader Left movement in India.
Former diplomat Gopalkrishna Gandhi summed up the impact of Yechury’s passing by stating, “Democratic socialism has lost its most ardent champion, and secularism its most passionate voice.”