Fri Sep 13 10:47:22 UTC 2024: ## Veteran Communist Leader Sitaram Yechury Passes Away at 72

**New Delhi, India:** Sitaram Yechury, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), passed away on September 12, 2024, at the age of 72 after a prolonged respiratory illness. Yechury, known for his accessibility and friendly demeanor, was a prominent figure in Indian politics for over four decades, playing a crucial role in shaping the nation’s political landscape.

Yechury’s journey began in the vibrant student movement of the 1970s, where he honed his political skills at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Elected president of the JNU Students’ Union three consecutive times, he emerged as a powerful voice for the Left, championing issues of education, health, and social equity.

He joined the CPI(M) full-time after being arrested during the Emergency, leading the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) nationally and gaining recognition for his pan-India leadership. Yechury rose through the party ranks, serving as a parliamentarian and representing the CPI(M) internationally. He played a key role in forging alliances with other political parties, particularly in the fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Yechury’s political acumen was evident in his ability to bridge ideological divides, fostering coalitions with diverse political forces and civil society groups. He was a master of coalition politics, inheriting the mantle of the CPI(M) leadership during a crucial time of transition in the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of Hindutva politics.

He was also known for his intellectual depth, being an avid reader and a keen observer of both national and international politics. Yechury’s commitment to secularism and his dedication to social justice earned him widespread respect across the political spectrum.

Though he sometimes faced criticism for his approach to coalition politics, Yechury remained a staunch defender of secularism and a vocal critic of both religious fundamentalism and economic globalization. His legacy will be remembered as that of a principled leader who navigated the complexities of Indian politics with a blend of intellectual rigor, strategic foresight, and genuine warmth.

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