Thu Sep 12 21:46:51 UTC 2024: ## Veteran Communist Leader Sitaram Yechury Passes Away at 72
**New Delhi, India -** Sitaram Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a prominent figure in India’s left-wing politics, passed away today after a prolonged illness. He was 72.
Yechury, who was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on August 19th for an acute respiratory tract infection, was a leading Marxist ideologue and a respected voice in Indian politics.
His contributions to the CPI(M) spanned over four decades, starting with his active involvement in student politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University in the 1970s. He rose through the ranks, holding key positions like President of the JNU Students Union and All India President of the Students Federation of India.
Yechury was elected to the CPI(M) Central Committee in 1985 and subsequently to the Central Secretariat in 1989. He became a member of the Polit Bureau in 1992 and was elected General Secretary in 2015, a position he held until his passing.
Known for his sharp intellect and intellectual contributions, Yechury played a crucial role in formulating the CPI(M)’s ideological positions. He was also a prolific writer, authoring several books, including critiques of Hindutva.
Yechury served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms, earning recognition for his parliamentary skills and was awarded the best parliamentarian award in 2017.
In recent years, Yechury was instrumental in bringing together a broad coalition of secular opposition parties under the “INDIA” bloc. He was known for his amiable nature and had a wide circle of friends across the political spectrum.
His passing is considered a significant loss for the CPI(M), the left movement, and democratic and secular forces in India.
Yechury’s body will be taken to the CPI(M) headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday, where a memorial service will be held. His family has decided to donate his body for research.
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