Sitaram Yechury, Champion of India's Left, Dies at 72: A Lifelong Advocate for Social Justice and Secularism
Sitaram Yechury, a prominent figure in India’s Leftist political landscape and a steadfast advocate for the downtrodden, died today at the age of 72. Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), was known for his measured yet powerful rhetoric, commitment to socialist ideals, and relentless pursuit of equity in a country often divided by class and caste lines. His death marks the end of an era in Indian leftist politics, where he had come to symbolize resistance to neoliberalism and authoritarianism.
Born on August 12, 1952, in Chennai (then Madras), Yechury’s early life bore the hallmarks of India’s post-independence ethos: a quest for social justice, equality, and nation-building. His father, Sarveswara Somayajulu Yechury, a railway worker, and his mother Kalpakam Yechury, nurtured a keen sense of justice in him from a young age. Yechury’s political journey began as a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi during the early 1970s—a time of social unrest and political upheaval. It was here that he became a member of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of CPI(M), and his trajectory as a left-wing political leader took root.
As an undergraduate, Yechury experienced the democratic crisis under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s imposition of the Emergency (1975–77), a period that deeply shaped his political beliefs. He was arrested for his activism during the Emergency, which only strengthened his resolve to combat what he saw as growing authoritarianism in Indian politics.
Yechury formally joined the CPI(M) in 1975, rising through its ranks over the decades, representing the ideals of Marxist-Leninism at a time when the global communist movement was in retreat. His sharp intellect and rhetorical prowess quickly earned him a seat on the party’s Central Committee in 1984 and later on its Politburo in 1992. Throughout his career, Yechury was seen as a bridge between the old guard, epitomized by leaders like Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjeet, and the younger generation of communist activists eager to reshape the party in a rapidly changing world.
Yechury’s political ideologies were firmly grounded in Marxist economic theory, a commitment to socialism, and a vision of a state-driven economy that could alleviate India’s persistent inequalities. He vehemently opposed the neoliberal economic reforms of the 1990s that saw India liberalize its markets, arguing that they disproportionately benefited the wealthy and widened the chasm between rich and poor. He remained a vocal critic of privatization, labor deregulation, and the marginalization of agrarian communities, advocating instead for land redistribution, enhanced labor rights, and greater social safety nets.
Throughout his leadership in CPI(M), Yechury attempted to position the party as a bulwark against communalism, especially under the growing influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its brand of Hindu nationalism. His efforts to forge a united opposition to the BJP’s dominance in Indian politics, including allying with other left-wing and secular parties, underscored his belief in pluralism, secularism, and a multi-ethnic Indian identity.
However, Yechury’s career was not without its challenges. CPI(M), and the Left in general, faced a decline in electoral influence during his tenure, losing power in their traditional bastions such as West Bengal and Kerala. Despite these setbacks, Yechury was praised for his efforts to modernize the party's outlook, balancing ideological purity with political pragmatism.
A man of unassuming humility, Yechury was known to be an erudite scholar and writer. His speeches, often laden with historical references and incisive political analysis, echoed a vision of India that many believed was slipping away in the face of aggressive capitalism and right-wing majoritarianism. His writings on Marxist theory, class struggle, and the political economy of India were deeply respected by both supporters and opponents alike.
Outside of his public life, Yechury was known for his warmth and kindness. Despite his rigorous public persona, he was a man who deeply valued personal relationships, both within his party and beyond. His wife, journalist Seema Chishti, and his children, were central to his life, offering him a sense of grounding amid the turbulence of political battles. Yechury’s deep personal loss, with the passing of his son Ashish due to COVID-19 complications in 2021, became a moment of national empathy, with tributes pouring in from across the political spectrum.
Yechury’s final years were marked by his continued efforts to push for the unity of the Left and secular forces in the face of rising Hindu nationalism. Though CPI(M)’s political footprint had shrunk, his intellectual and moral leadership continued to inspire progressive movements, civil society organizations, and younger generations seeking an alternative vision of India—one rooted in social justice, economic equality, and secularism.
As India mourns the loss of Sitaram Yechury, his legacy as a stalwart defender of the working class and a fierce proponent of pluralism remains intact. His passing leaves behind an indelible mark on India’s Leftist political thought, a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice in a country of immense inequalities. In an age where many of his political ideals seemed under threat, Yechury’s life and work were a testament to the enduring relevance of the socialist cause in India’s democracy.
Core ideologies:
- Marxist-Leninist Ideology: Yechury's political ideology was fundamentally shaped by Marxist-Leninist thought. He believed in the central tenets of Marxism, including the idea of class struggle, the need for workers to own the means of production, and the transformation of society through socialism. His goal was to challenge the existing capitalist structures, which he believed perpetuated inequality and exploitation of the working class.
- Class Struggle and Worker’s Rights: Yechury consistently emphasized the need for organized labor movements and solidarity among workers to fight against the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few. He argued that capitalist policies, particularly those introduced during India's liberalization in the 1990s, benefited the wealthy at the expense of the poor and working classes.
- Secularism and Economic Justice: Yechury has been a staunch advocate for secularism, emphasizing India's cultural and religious diversity as its strength. He has warned against any attempts to impose a uniform cultural or religious identity, arguing that such actions could lead to the implosion of the country's social fabric. He believed that socialism, with its emphasis on public ownership and equitable distribution of resources, was the key to eradicating poverty and addressing India's stark socio-economic inequalities.
- Opposition to Neoliberalism: Yechury opposed the neoliberal economic reforms that liberalized India’s markets, deregulated industries, and opened the economy to globalization. He believed these reforms disproportionately favored the rich while exacerbating poverty and income inequality. He argued that neoliberal policies led to privatization, erosion of labor rights, and weakening of public sector institutions.
- State-driven Development: Yechury has often highlighted how centralization, especially under the BJP-led government, undermines India's democratic and federal ethos, aiming towards a unitary state which he sees as a precursor to a "Hindutva Rashtra." He encouraged a model of development driven by the state, where key industries would remain under public ownership to ensure wealth was distributed fairly. He saw the government’s role as essential in building a welfare state that could protect the rights of workers, farmers, and marginalized communities.
- Democratic Socialism and Political Pluralism: While firmly rooted in Marxist ideology, Yechury recognized the importance of working within India’s democratic framework. He advocated for democratic socialism, where socialist ideals could be achieved through parliamentary means and mass movements rather than violent revolution.
- Coalition Politics: Yechury often worked to build alliances between the Left and other secular, regional, and progressive parties in order to counter the growing influence of right-wing forces in India. He believed in creating a united front that could challenge authoritarian tendencies and safeguard democracy.
- Democratic Institutions: He was a strong defender of India’s democratic institutions and often spoke out against what he saw as the erosion of democratic values. He consistently advocated for the protection of civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the strengthening of institutions like the judiciary and media.
- Common Minimum Programme: Sitaram Yechury was instrumental in drafting the CMP for the United Front government in 1996 and later for the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) governments in 2004 and 2009. These programmes were essential in forming coalition governments where no single party had a majority, ensuring that a broad consensus on key issues could be maintained.
Additional readings/viewings:
- Sitaram Yechury: Political timeline of the lifelong communist by Hindu
- Unfiltered by Samdish
- Editorial at People’s Democracy
Media courtesy: CPIM