Sitaram Yechury and Indira Gandhi viral photo: Sitaram Yechury, the veteran political leader and General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), passed away this afternoon at the age of 72.
Sitaram Yechury, who was undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of AIIMS in New Delhi, had been battling a severe respiratory infection since August 19. His death has left a void in Indian politics, with condolences pouring in from leaders across the political spectrum.
A few years back, a photo had gone viral on the Internet showing Sitaram Yechury reading out a letter to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While false information claimed that that Yechury was assaulted by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency in 1975, the reality is different.
The photograph, which showed Yechury with Indira Gandhi, was actually taken in 1977 after the Emergency had ended, when Yechury led a demonstration calling for her resignation from the chancellorship of JNU.
Academic Roots and Arrest During the Emergency
An alumnus of St Stephen’s College and JNU, Yechury was pursuing a doctorate in economics when the Indira Gandhi government declared the Emergency in 1975. He was arrested along with many other student leaders, an experience that shaped his future political career. Although his PhD remained incomplete, Yechury’s leadership in the JNU Student’s Union earned him recognition, and he was elected president three times after his release from jail.
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Yechury is survived by his wife, senior journalist Seema Chishti, daughter Akhila, and son Daanish. His son, Ashish Yechury, had tragically passed away in 2021 due to complications from COVID-19.
In recent years, Yechury embraced modern technology and social media, where his interviews with prominent podcasters attracted significant attention.
A Legacy of Leadership and Activism
Yechury’s political journey spanned several decades, beginning in the 1970s when he first joined the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) while studying at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a prominent figure in the CPI(M) and succeeding Prakash Karat as General Secretary in 2015. Known for his eloquence and organisational acumen, Yechury was a central figure in shaping the party’s policies and strategies during the coalition governments of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Over the years, Sitaram Yechury remained a steadfast advocate for the working class and leftist ideologies, even as the political landscape shifted. His speeches in Parliament and public forums resonated with people across party lines, and his ability to bridge gaps between political ideologies earned him widespread respect.
Yechury’s passing marks the end of an era for the CPI(M) and the broader leftist movement in India. He leaves behind a rich legacy of political activism, intellectual rigor, and unwavering dedication to the causes he championed throughout his life.
