Manasahimaya
Sitaram Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], is in critical condition and is currently receiving respiratory support at AIIMS, New Delhi. The 72-year-old veteran politician, who has been a pillar of the party for decades, is being treated for a severe respiratory infection. The party officially confirmed on Tuesday that Yechury is in the intensive care unit (ICU), with a team of doctors closely monitoring his health. This news has deeply concerned his supporters and the wider political community.
Yechury’s hospitalisation at AIIMS began on 19th August when he was admitted due to a chest infection that closely resembled pneumonia. Over the past few days, his condition has worsened, necessitating urgent respiratory support in the ICU. The CPI(M) leadership has been providing updates to the public, and the health status of the CPIM leader has drawn significant attention due to his influential role in Indian politics. His critical condition and the need for respiratory support have sparked a wave of concern, as he continues to fight his illness under the close observation of medical experts.
The CPI(M) announced on X (previously known as Twitter) that “Comrade Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, intensive care unit, being treated for an acute respiratory tract infection.” The party also emphasized that he is being monitored by a diverse team of physicians. Party members and well-wishers have expressed concern about his grave health and are anxiously monitoring his progress.
Sitaram Yechury has had a storied political career that has spanned decades. He first joined the CPI(M) in 1975, following his involvement with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) a year earlier in 1974. As a student leader, Yechury’s activism flourished during the Emergency period, where he was detained for his strong opposition to authoritarianism. His influence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) remained significant, and he served as president of the JNU Students’ Union on three occasions between 1977 and 1988. Alongside fellow CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat, Yechury played a crucial role in strengthening leftist influence at JNU and beyond.
Despite his current health challenges, Yechury remains an influential figure in Indian politics. Known for continuing the coalition-building efforts pioneered by former General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet, Yechury has been pivotal in maintaining the CPI(M)’s relevance in India’s political landscape. His hospitalisation has coincided with recent cataract surgery, adding further strain to his health.
Just days before being admitted to the ICU, on 22nd August, Sitaram Yechury shared a heartfelt six-minute video on social media from his hospital bed, offering his condolences to the family of former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya. Despite his deteriorating health, Yechury’s message demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the party and its values.
As the CPI(M) leader remains in critical condition on respiratory support, the thoughts and prayers of his supporters are with him and his family. The nation watches closely as the CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury continues his battle in the ICU, with everyone hoping for a swift recovery.