Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and other political leaders across party lines condoled the death of CPI(M) senior leader Sitaram Yechury.

Stalwart Left leader Yechury, at 3.03 pm on September 12, 2024, passed away, at the AIIMS, New Delhi. The 72-year-old leader was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications.

PM Modi said Yechury was a leading light of the Left and was known for his ability to connect across the political spectrum. The Prime Minister added that Yechury also made a mark as an effective Parliamentarian.

Expressing his sorrow over his demise, PM Modi said, “My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”

Senior BJP leader Shah said the demise of the CPI(M) General Secretary Yechury is a loss to the political sphere.

“Saddened to hear about the passing of General Secretary of the CPI (M) and former Rajya Sabha MP, Sitaram Yechury Ji. His demise is a loss to the political sphere. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family members and friends. May God give them the strength to endure this difficult time,” the Home Minister said in a post on X.

In his condolence message, Gandhi called him a protector of the idea of India with a deep understanding of this country.

“I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief,” the Congress leader said.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also expressed his condolences and said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Sitaram Yechury Ji. His contributions to public life will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Yechury’s death was an irreparable loss at a time when the country and its people are facing serious crises.

“Farewell, Comrade Sitaram Yechury. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the Communist movement and people’s struggles. I cherish the moments we shared and his unmatched ideological clarity, strategic brilliance, and dedication to the revolutionary cause. Amid rising inequality and threats to secular and constitutional ideals, his legacy will inspire us to keep fighting for a just India,” the CPI(M) politburo member Vijayan said in a post on X.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Yechury was a very dear friend of his and India is now deprived of such a leader who spoke freely.

“His view was that this country belongs to all of us, no matter which language you belong to and it should be left like this. Everyone has to leave this country and this world. You came from there and you have to go back there. What all battles did Yechury not fight for us. Today I cannot believe that he is no longer among us,” he condoled the demise of CPI(M) leader.

On September 14, the body of Comrade Sitaram Yechury will be kept at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) headquarters, AK Gopalan Bhavan, Gole Market, New Delhi for public viewing and paying homage between 11 am and 3 pm.

Subsequently, the body of Comrade Yechury will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where it will be donated for medical research as per his wishes, the CPI(M) said in a press release.  

The Opposition on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he attended the Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s residence and criticised his move.

Several opposition leaders and some lawyers of the Supreme Court reacted sharply to Modi attending the puja at the CJI’s residence.

“Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated and people visit each other’s houses. I don’t have information whether the Prime Minister has visited anyone’s house,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said.

“However, the Prime Minister visited the CJI’s residence. They performed ‘aarti’ together. We think that people will have doubts if guardians of the Constitution meet political leaders,” Raut added.

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday participated in the Ganpati Puja at the CJI’s residence here.

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal criticised PM Modi for attending the Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud’s residence saying the Prime Minister should not publicise a private meeting and should not make a spectacle of such events.

He added saying PM should never have shown his interest to go to such a private affair.

“My religion and my way of expressing myself in the context of my beliefs is a private affair. Therefore, there should be no videography or photography which are then made public. Especially in the context of people holding the highest positions in the country,” he emphasised.

In a post on X, senior lawyer Indira Jaising said the Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

“Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the executive,” she said in her post.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan also criticised the move stating the CJI’s decision to host the Prime Minister sends a bad signal regarding the judiciary’s responsibility to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights and ensure the government adheres to the Constitution. Bhushan emphasised the need for a clear separation between the two branches.

In another post, Bhushan quoted the ‘Code of Conduct for Judges’, “A Judge Should practice a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office. There should be no act or omission by him which is unbecoming of the high office he occupies and the public esteem in which that office is held.”

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was admitted at AIIMS Delhi, passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 72.

Senior CPI (M) leader Yechury was admitted to the intensive care unit of Delhi AIIMS on August 19 and was being treated for acute respiratory tract infection.

Yechury was suffering from a pneumonia-like infection, but doctors had not disclosed the exact nature of the ailment. He recently underwent cataract surgery.

The CPI(M) leader was undergoing treatment by a multidisciplinary team of doctors.

He is survived by his wife Seema Chishti Yechury and two children.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the demise of CPI(M) leader Yechury.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend. A protector of the Idea of India with a deep understanding of our country. I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief.”

Announcing the passing away of its stalwart leader Yechury on social media X, the CPI(M) party expressed grief and said, “Our beloved Comrade Sitaram Yechury, at 3.03 pm today, 12th September, at the AIIMS, New Delhi.”

He was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications, the party said.

“We thank the doctors, nursing staff and the Director of the Institute for the excellent treatment and care extended to Comrade Yechury. Details of public viewing and homage will be informed,” it added.

Born on August 12, 1952, in Chennai, Yechury studied at Delhi University during graduation and completed post-graduation from Jawaharlal Nehru University.