COMRADE Sitaram Yechury’s demise is a big blow to Indian democracy and secular polity in general and the revolutionary movement of the working class in particular. He was a Marxist intellectual par excellence. As general secretary of the CPI(M) over the last nine years, he had been leading the Party and steering it ahead through some of its most difficult times.

Sitaram Yechury rose to prominence as a student leader opposing the national Emergency. As the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union, he was courageous enough to lead the students on a march to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's official residence and demand her resignation as the chancellor of JNU, in the wake of the atrocities committed in the backdrop of the Emergency. Till date, he is the only person to have been elected as the president of the JNUSU for three successive terms. The fact that he is the only political leader to have been accorded a farewell by the JNU community inside its campus, is a telling tale of how respected he was by his alma mater and how dear it was to him.

At the young age of 33, Sitaram was elected as a member of the Central Committee and at just 40 years of age, he became a member of the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M). He had played a lead role in drafting the political, strategical and tactical line of the CPI(M) in the face of the changing international and national scenarios. Over the last three decades and more, our positions have proved to be the most apt and effective for a Communist Party. The fact that our work on different fronts has improved and that we've been able to make inroads to newer sections is a testament to it.

Sitaram Yechury was exceptionally well read and was at ease handling multiple languages. He had a sound knowledge of Indian history, society, culture and polity as well as current affairs and international relations. His oratorical skills were exemplary that his lectures and addresses always attracted a huge audience. He had the innate ability to explain the principles of Marxism, Leninism and dialectical materialism in such a way that even the most ordinary minds could make sense of his words. His party classes were widely sought after, especially by the students and the youth. Taking that interest on educating the masses forward, he went on to become the founder director of Leftword Books.

Comrade Sitaram was truly a people's parliamentarian. During his two terms as a member of the Rajya Sabha he always ensured that the issues that affected the ordinary and poor people of the country, were addressed first and foremost by the parliament. In fact, his concern for the marginalised and downtrodden is most well reflected in the Common Minimum Programme which he helped to draft, during UPA-I. His interventions on the floor of the house were keenly observed by all and often appreciated by the chair.

Sitaram stood as a citadel in defending the high values of democracy, federalism, socialism, secularism and the sovereignty of the nation. The creative ideas put forward by him in the parliament led those who are at the helm to evolve consensus on many matters relating to the nation. He fought against the liberalisation-privatisation-globalisation (L-P-G) policies and stood steadfast for preserving the public sector intact. He was seen in the front row of every struggle that Delhi had seen during the last four-five decades, braving the brutal attack of the police. As everybody knows he had been in the leading row of all the recent struggles of the people -- ranging from kisan struggle to CAA struggles. The clarity of his positions was much evident. In his speeches he delivered on a wide range of subjects spanning from 2G scams to nuclear plants. He played a lead role in drafting the policies relating to RTI, Right to Education, Food Security Scheme etc., during the UPA-I regime.

It is to be noted that the amendments put forward by the opposition to the resolution on president’s address are seldom accepted. But two of the opposition amendments were accepted by the treasury benches, thanks to the tactful skill of Sitaram’s intervention.

As a seasoned leader of the opposition benches, on multiple instances Comrade Sitaram was able to bring the leaders of various political parties together for the common good. It is in being able to bring about a political consensus on a wide range of issues that he stood out as a true statesman. To him national interest meant, the interest of the people of the nation, and to defend their interest he would explore all avenues possible.

Sitaram was convinced that for Indian democracy to sustain, its secular– federal character should be protected and that all sections of the people in the country should have an equal say in managing its affairs. He was also sure that unless our democracy is transparent, it will never work in favour of the disadvantaged and the impoverished. The CPI(M)'s stances on issues like revocation of Article 370, CAA, electoral bonds etc., and his battles to take them forward as the party's general secretary, even at the level of the Supreme Court, underscores that conviction. So as to defend India's federal structure, he had played a seminal role in ensuring the participation of various national level political leaders when Kerala recently organised a protest against the union government at Jantar Mantar, in the backdrop of their encroachments into states' powers and finances.

In this era of neo-liberalism, Sitaram's assessment of the issues related to workers and farmers were spot on. During the recent years, his interventions in mainstreaming their plight have been historical. Despite the reversals in our electoral performances, our struggles on the ground have extended far and wide, even leading to the recall of a pet legislation of the ruling classes -- a first in independent India -- the farm laws.

At a time, when history was sought to be distorted by the reactionary forces,  Sitaram Yechury intervened argumentatively to put it back on its rails. He had a thorough knowledge of Party history too, with the special reference to the roles the veterans played at crucial junctures. He had a special acumen to deal with provocative situations and to solve the problems with the touch of a smile.

As far as the CPI(M) in Kerala is concerned, Sitaram Yechury was always there to help us along in political and organisational matters. His clarity of ideology and commitment to organisation were indeed guiding lights. And for our LDF government in Kerala, we could always count on his guidance and support over the last eight years. In his absence, it will sorely be missed.

I deem it a personal privilege to have been able to work with Comrade Sitaram in the Central Committee and the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M). As his colleague and comrade, there was always a lot to learn and understand from him. Even in the midst of severe personal losses and failing health, he always remained committed to the responsibilities the Party and the society had entrusted upon him. His departure is not just a painful personal loss, but a great loss to the Indian and international communist movements as well.

As he did throughout his life, in his passing too, Sitaram Yechury espoused the cause of scientific temper and held aloft the spirit of inquiry and reform. A shining star, he is resting in science. Red salute dear comrade!