Sitaram Yechury: The man who took on Indira Gandhi

September 12, 2024, marks a tragic day for the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its followers across India with the passing of Sitaram Yechury, the party’s veteran leader and General Secretary. 

Yechury died while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Delhi, located just a short distance from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). It is at JNU that the CPM stalwart honed his political acumen, alongside Prakash Karat, and played a pivotal role in fortifying JNU as a formidable bastion of the Leftist ideology.

Yechury’s ascent in Indian political life was shaped by his time at JNU, where he chose to pursue his master’s degree over the more traditional Delhi School of Economics. His decision to attend the newly established university marked the beginning of a career that would intertwine his name with JNU’s storied history. The university, known for its progressive academic environment, was the perfect backdrop for Yechury’s emergence as a leading political figure. 

The year 1974 saw Yechury rise to prominence as the President of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU). His leadership was defined by a passionate commitment to democratic ideals and resistance against political oppression. This period also witnessed his active participation in the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which played a crucial role in opposing the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

One of the most enduring images from this era is Yechury, standing resolute beside Indira Gandhi after leading a significant student march to her residence in 1977. The march was a bold statement against her leadership and policies, with Yechury presenting a detailed list of grievances that called for her resignation as Chancellor of JNU. His efforts, along with those of his peers, were instrumental in securing the resignation of Gandhi, who had been accused of undermining the university’s autonomy by ordering its indefinite closure. 

The leadership of Yechury, alongside that of his predecessor Prakash Karat, played a pivotal role in cementing JNU’s reputation as a bastion of leftist thought and activism. During his time in the SFI, he organized several protests at JNU against the administration regarding various issues.