The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised a seminar at Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna Bhawan, Sector 29-D, Chandigarh on August 16, 2026 dedicated to the second death anniversary of former CPI(M) General Secretary Comrade Sitaram Yechury.

Paying tribute to Comrade Sitaram Yechury, Comrade Sekhon said that even Yechury’s strongest political opponents were impressed by his political acumen and ability to understand complex political situations. He played an important role in the formation of the INDIA bloc during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Comrade Sekhon said the outcome was that those who had been campaigning with the slogan of “400 paar” were reduced to 240 seats. He further recalled Yechury’s role in Parliament and said that he had made an important contribution during his 12 years as a parliamentarian. Sekhon said that after Yechury’s death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also acknowledged that Yechury possessed the ability to engage in dialogue even with his political opponents. He said the true tribute to Yechury would be to follow his political approach.

Paying tribute, Prof. Chaman Lal recalled Yechury’s student days at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He said Yechury was popularly known as “Sita” among his contemporaries and that he had a close association with him. Recalling the Emergency period, Prof. Chaman Lal said that when students’ rights were severely suppressed, the JNU students’ organisation launched a struggle under Yechury’s leadership. He recalled an incident in 1977 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was also the Chancellor of JNU, visited the students’ protest. Yechury read out a memorandum highlighting the repression of students and demanded that Indira Gandhi resign as Chancellor. Prof. Chaman Lal said that although she left the venue angrily, she subsequently resigned from the post. He said this demonstrated Yechury’s sharp political understanding even during his student years.

CPI Punjab State Secretary Comrade Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal said Yechury remained committed to the ideology he had adopted until his last breath. He said Yechury enjoyed respect even among political opponents. Referring to the present social, economic and cultural situation in the country, Dhaliwal said there was a need to draw inspiration from Yechury’s life and intensify the struggle against communal hatred and divisive politics.

Former Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arvind said there was an urgent need to move forward in the struggle by drawing inspiration from Yechury’s ideas and teachings. Recalling his first opportunity to hear Yechury in Jalandhar in 1987 at an SFI meeting, Prof. Arvind said Yechury had spoken openly about the political situation in the country and Punjab as well as imperialism.

He said Yechury had mobilised students during his student life and fought for their rights. Prof. Arvind stressed the need for democratic resistance and greater mobilisation among different Left forces, adding that Yechury’s efforts to preserve the political legacy of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet remained a source of inspiration.

Comrade Gurdarshan Singh Khaspur highlighted various aspects of Yechury’s life while conducting the proceedings. CPI(M) Punjab State Office Secretary Comrade R.L. Maudgil also paid tributes to Comrade Yechury.

CPI(M) Punjab State Secretariat members Comrades Major Singh Bhikhiwind, Gurnek Singh Bhajjal, Abdul Sattar, Satnam Singh Badaich, Sukhpreet Singh Johal and Jatinder Pal Singh, along with Permanent Invitee member Chamkaur Singh Kheri, were also present.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Comrade Bhup Chand Channo.