Sitaram Yachuri, a man of deep culture, died in New Delhi, at the age of 72 after suffering an acute respiratory infection. By his death a huge vacuum is created in Indian polity in particular the progressive politics. He by his steadfast astuteness emerged a consensus developer amongst the secular forces and in coalition politics. An alumni of St Stephen and Jawahar Lal Nehru University, he was oblivion to ostentation, sharp and a witty personality. He had deep knowledge of journalism and literature. He was an avid tennis and badminton player and a great sports lover.
Yachuri was a great supporter of the struggle for Justice of Kashmir and a great advocate for dignified return of displaced Kashmiris back to their home land. He was also a staunch critic of abrogation of article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.
Yechury was a staunch critic of US foreign policy. He also criticized the visit of the US president Barack Obama as the chief guest of the 2015 Republic Day parade. While blaming the US for rise of Islamic fundamentalism he viewed US military interventions in West Asia to have created a situation of complete uncertainty. The military interventions have always given birth to the rise of fundamentalism, which we see today in the menace that has been created by the ISIS. He said at a meeting of strategic community at a seminar.
He never shifted from his apartment residence of Vasant Kunj to any Government house when he was a Member of Parliament. I recall Yachuri as a weekly columnist for Hindustan Times for many years. During our Kashmir Committee initiative days as track-2 dialogue with Kashmiris, he was a great supporter and a frequent participant in our extended meetings. We became good friends. I found him as a profound and educated politician with deep commitment to the cause of oppressed, the toiling masses, the students and was a crusader against bigotry, terrorism, imperialism and communalism.
By his death country has lost a great crusader for Justice to all and a defender of Human Rights.
Rest In Peace My Friend Sitaram Yachuri
(The Author is Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and a distinguished fellow, United Services of India (USI); Chairman; Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group)
