Legacies of Comrade Sitaram Yechury: A Personal Tribute | Bhabani Shankar Nayak

TRIBUTE

Mr. Sitaram Yechury was everyone’s comrade. He lived his life in public like an open book of praxis. Everyone was familiar with his family background, student life, many talents, achievements, and political journey that defined his everyday life as a committed communist. Comrade Yechury possessed a unique ability to dissect complex theories in everyday language and theorise everyday issues in the colloquial language of the working people. He had the ability to connect local challenges with international issues and highlight the impacts of global crises on local populations. In debates, disagreements, and interactions, he never made anyone feel inferior. His frankness, infectious smile, non-judgmental attitude, and self-deprecating humour were disarming and rare. He could connect with anyone and every one, free from any form of inhibition. There was no difference between Comrade Yechury’s personal and public life. He had nothing to hide. Political opponents and class enemies both fear and admire him for his ideological clarity and commitment to working people.

Where do I begin? It is hard to remain objective and write clearly when emotions run wild and refuse to say goodbye to a rare comrade. It’s hard to believe that Comrade Yechury is no longer with us, and even harder to write a personal tribute that spans two decades of a relationship filled with countless disagreements and many evenings of laughter. He never let our three-decade age gap, our differences on issues, or my political immaturity affect our connection as comrades.

“What is Hindu Rashtra? On Golwalkar’s fascistic ideology and the saffron brigade’s practice”, which was published in the Frontline Magazine on 12th of March 1993 introduced me to its writer Comrade Sitaram Yechury sometime in 1994 in the library of S.N. College, Rajkanika. This article left an indelible mark on me, shaping my political and ideological views during my formative years. After joining the Student Federation of India in 1994, I had numerous opportunities to attend his seminars and hear his inspiring public speeches in places like Bhubaneswar, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Delhi, Glasgow, Manchester, Coventry, and London. It felt as though our paths were intertwined as comrades.

During my student days in Hyderabad, what began as a political and ideological affiliation transformed into a personal bond. He was a formidable source of inspiration for the student movements at the University of Hyderabad during my time there and beyond. After I was rusticated from the university, I decided to move to Sussex for my studies. While leaving Hyderabad, he reminded me, "Don’t forget the spirit of study and struggle, look after your health, and enjoy life. Stay in touch, comrade."

From 2002 to 2023, we met almost every time I visited Delhi, or he visited the UK. We could not meet during his latest 2024 trip to London as he was not feeling well. In every other meeting, he never failed to ask about my health, studies, and family, always with his signature humour, often teasing me about my love life. Besides political discussions, he always took the time to inquire about the details of my everyday life, personal challenges and professional plans. His non-interfering guidance was always delivered with a dose of jokes, making it seem like he never gave any advice at all. He would often send texts to check on my research, work, and life. This personal touch set Comrade Yechury apart, making him truly one of a kind.

Personal trust, along with our shared political and ideological commitment, allowed us to openly express our organisational frustrations, political hopes, and aspirations for radical struggles for a world free from war, inequality, and exploitation. We often reassured each other with our usual words, "Hold on comrade, this time shall pass." There were no barriers in our discussions—whether it was about ideology and actions, music and Marxism, or food, family, friendships, and the path toward a socialist alternative. In both life and death, Comrade Yechury left a legacy, showing us how to be comrades and live a fulfilling life filled with fun, friendship, and the fight for our rights.

In keeping with communist traditions, Comrade Yechury’s family has donated his body to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for teaching and research. For a communist, death is as defining as the sacrifices made in life. As medical students dissect your body to learn, you might be joking with them about Hegel and Marx, noting how the material force of your dead body carries your ideas and ideals (apologies for this anti-Marxist wit to bear the news of your death). Comrades like Yechury do not die; they continue to live on in the hearts of the working people. He was a moral compass in Indian politics, and his passing is a profound loss for the working people in India and beyond. There are many interactions and countless stories to share about Comrade Yechury, but those are for another day. Personally, I have lost an unwavering source of ideological inspiration in both politics and life.