JNU Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late Communist Leader Sitaram Yechury

Hundreds of students and faculty members of Jawaharlal Nehru University paid tribute to CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who passed away at the age of 72 after battling a lung infection. Yechury, a former student and key Left figure at JNU, was honored with the famous 'Laal Salam' slogan.

Hundreds of students and faculty members at Jawaharlal Nehru University paid homage to late CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday, as his body was displayed at the JNUSU office. Yechury, 72, was a pragmatic Communist and a key architect of the Left's stronghold at JNU. He passed away on Thursday due to a lung infection.

Left supporters, chanting the famous 'Laal Salam' slogan, honored the veteran leader whose flower-adorned casket was placed for public viewing. A banner reading 'Long live comrade Sitaram Yechury' was prominently displayed behind a garlanded photograph of Yechury, surrounded by students and faculty members.

As a JNU student, Yechury joined the Students Federation of India (SFI) in 1974, was arrested during the Emergency, and served as JNUSU president thrice during 1977–78. He was later elected as All-India Joint Secretary and then Presidente of SFI, making history as the first non-Bengali or non-Kerala President.

(With inputs from agencies.)