New Delhi: Sitaram Yechury, veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former member of the parliament, has passed away. He was 72.
Earlier this week, his party had said in a statement that he was being treated by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors for acute respiratory tract infection at the ICU in AIIMS, New Delhi.
“It is with profound grief that we announce the passing away of CPIM General Secretary, our beloved Comrade Sitaram Yechury, at 3.03 pm today, 12th September, at the AIIMS, New Delhi. He was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications. We thank the doctors, nursing staff and the Director of the Institute for the excellent treatment and care extended to Comrade Yechury. Details of public viewing and homage will be informed,” the party announced in a statement.
Party sources informed The Wire that Yechury’s body will be brought to the CPI(M) headquarters at A.K. Gopalan Bhavan in Gole Market, New Delhi on Saturday, and the memorial will be held later that day. AIIMS has announced that his family has decided to donate his body for research.
Yechury has been general secretary of the CPI(M) since 2015. He had joined the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in 1974 and the CPI(M) in 1975.
By 1978, Yechury had been elected as the all-India joint secretary of the SFI. He went on to become the president of the organisation.
He was elected to Rajya Sabha from West Bengal in 2005.
A representative of the CPI(M) in the pre-Lok Sabha election coalition of opposition parties – the INDIA bloc – Yechury had been a vital presence in key coalition building efforts that the CPI(M) has participated in.
Yechury is survived by his son, daughter and wife, the veteran journalist Seema Chishti, who is editor of The Wire.
Political participants from across the spectrum have written messages of condolence and sorrow on social media. Political leaders noted Yechury’s “unwavering conviction”, his “deep understanding of our country,” and the fact that he was “one of the tallest leaders of our times.”
Saddened by the passing away of Shri Sitaram Yechury Ji. He was a leading light of the Left and was known for his ability to connect across the political spectrum. He also made a mark as an effective Parliamentarian. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.… pic.twitter.com/Cp8NYNlwSB
Advertisement— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2024
Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend.
A protector of the Idea of India with a deep understanding of our country.
I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/6GUuWdmHFj
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 12, 2024
My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Comrade Sitaram Yechury ji.
He was a humble leader who chartered the unique territory of balancing personal equations with unflinching political ideologies.
A excellent Parliamentarian and an outstanding intellectual, he served… pic.twitter.com/SwwShXJIPj
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 12, 2024
STATEMENT OF SMT, SONIA GANDHI, CHAIRPERSON CONGRESS PARLIAMENTARY PARTY.
September 12, 2024 pic.twitter.com/D6excBEnWu
— INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) September 12, 2024
Saddened by the demise of veteran leader #SitaramYechury Ji. The void left by him would always remain unfilled.
ॐ शांति! pic.twitter.com/OW2ZI3CwD2
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) September 12, 2024
Deeply saddened by the passing of Sitaram Yechury Ji. His contributions to public life will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 12, 2024
Deeply saddened by veteran CPI-M leader, Sitaram Yechury Ji’s passing. He was a stalwart who rose from the ranks to become one of the most respected voices in Indian politics. He was known for his intellectual take on issues, and connection with the people at the grassroots… pic.twitter.com/0vL9Jq6ao5
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 12, 2024
सीताराम येचुरी जी के निधन की खबर सुनकर मैं बहुत दुखी हूँ। वे एक महान नेता, एक सच्चे समाजवादी और एक असाधारण मानवतावादी थे। उनका जाना हमारे देश की राजनीति के लिए एक बड़ी क्षति है।
मेरी श्रद्धांजलि और संवेदना उनके परिवार और पार्टी के साथ हैं। #SitaramYechury #RIP
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) September 12, 2024
कॉमरेड सीताराम येचुरी को लाल सलाम और विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
कॉमरेड इतनी जल्दी नहीं जाना था! pic.twitter.com/gpxVWTK4I3
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) September 12, 2024
Our dear comrade and Communist Party of India (Marxist) – @cpimspeak – General Secretary has died. Born in 1952, comrade Sitaram was a student leader at Jawaharlal Nehru University, was arrested during the Emergency (1975-1977), led student struggles for people’s democracy, was a… pic.twitter.com/j2uS7nxUcx
— Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) September 12, 2024
A thorough gentleman and a man of unwavering conviction. Travel well #SitaramYechury.
Indian politics shall miss you and the values you lived for. pic.twitter.com/n8la7e33yX— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) September 12, 2024
#SitaramYechury One of the tallest leaders of our times is no more .
Deeply mourning the departure of a wonderful comrade , leader . pic.twitter.com/04RnzFlMZp— Shabnam Hashmi (@ShabnamHashmi) September 12, 2024
Sitaram Yechury – a very fine human being, a multilingual bibliophile, an unrepentant Marxist with a pragmatic streak, a pillar of the CPM, and a superb Parliamentarian with a wonderful wit and sense of humour – is most sadly no more.
Our association stretched over three…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 12, 2024
Deeply shocked to hear about the passing of Comrade Sitaram Yechury. His death at this critical juncture is a great loss for every Indian fighting in defence of democracy, federal framework and pluralist cultural fabric. Deepest condolences to his family and @cpimspeak comrades. pic.twitter.com/svPxUl2Osb
— Dipankar (@Dipankar_cpiml) September 12, 2024
Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former CPI(M) leader #SitaramYechury sir
India has lost a political legend. May his soul rest in peace 🤲🏾 pic.twitter.com/iwvnKXUqng— Dr Kafeel Khan (@drkafeelkhan) September 12, 2024
Sad to hear about the passing of veteran CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. While our political ideologies often clashed, I had the privilege of interacting with him during several opposition meetings over the last couple of years. His simplicity, profound understanding of public…
— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) September 12, 2024
Lal Salaam, Comrade Sitaram Yechury!
With the passing away of Comrade Sitaram Yechury, India has lost a bridge that connected revolutionary vision to parliamentary politics, political theory to political practice, and the agenda of national politics to the last person. An… pic.twitter.com/QYK72MMazE
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) September 12, 2024
