Massive Turnout as Thousands Honor Legacy of Veteran Indian Communist Leader
Thousands of mourners have gathered to pay tribute to VS Achuthanandan, a prominent Indian communist leader and former chief minister of Kerala, who passed away at the age of 101. His funeral is set to take place on Wednesday, following a significant outpouring of respect from the public. Achuthanandan, affectionately known as “VS,” was a founding member of India’s largest communist party and is remembered as a pivotal figure in Kerala’s political landscape.
Legacy of a Political Icon
Achuthanandan’s political journey began in humble circumstances. Born into poverty, he faced numerous challenges, including dropping out of school as a child. Despite these hardships, he rose to become one of Kerala’s most respected leaders. His commitment to fighting for the rights of the oppressed defined his political career. MA Baby, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), described him as “the epitome of struggle.” Kerala’s current Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, echoed this sentiment, calling Achuthanandan a “limitless repository of inspiration and lessons.”
Throughout his career, Achuthanandan held various significant positions, including serving as Kerala’s chief minister and leading the opposition multiple times. His influence within the CPI(M) was profound, with a tenure on the party’s Politburo that lasted 23 years. His popularity among Indian communists is comparable to that of Jyoti Basu, a co-founder of the CPI(M) and long-serving chief minister of West Bengal. However, Achuthanandan’s rise was marked by grassroots activism rather than formal education, as he championed the causes of the common people.
A Life of Struggle and Resilience
Achuthanandan’s early life was marked by tragedy, losing both parents by the age of 11. He began working at a young age and joined the Communist Party at 17, where he started organizing agricultural workers during British rule in India. His dedication to labor rights and social justice was evident from the beginning. Former Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony recalled waiting by paddy fields as a schoolboy to hear Achuthanandan speak, highlighting the leader’s impact on the youth of his time.
His activism was not without peril. Achuthanandan led a significant revolt in 1946 against state authorities, resulting in the deaths of many communists. He faced arrest and torture during his activism, spending five years in prison. These experiences only strengthened his resolve to fight for the rights of the marginalized, making him a symbol of resilience in Kerala’s political history.
Achievements and Controversies
Achuthanandan’s contributions to Kerala’s socio-political landscape were extensive. He advocated for labor rights, land reforms, education, women’s rights, anti-corruption measures, and environmental protection. His commitment to these causes often put him at odds with party leadership, particularly when he publicly supported the widow of TP Chandrasekharan, a former CPI(M) member who was murdered in 2012.
Despite attempts by the CPI(M) to sideline him in 2006 and 2011, public support for Achuthanandan remained strong, leading to his return as chief minister from 2006 to 2011. After suffering a stroke in 2019, he stepped back from public life, spending his later years with his family in Thiruvananthapuram. His legacy continues to inspire many in Kerala and beyond, as he is remembered for his unwavering commitment to social justice and the rights of the oppressed.
A Final Farewell
As Kerala prepares for Achuthanandan’s funeral, the outpouring of grief and respect from the public underscores his significant impact on the state’s political landscape. His life story, marked by struggle and triumph, resonates with many who continue to fight for social justice. The state will honor him with a funeral that reflects his contributions and the love he garnered from the people he served. Achuthanandan’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those he inspired.
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