Kulgam, Sept 13: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Friday paid tribute to the veteran CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury who passed away on Thursday.
Tarigami assured the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the country that CPI(M) will honour Yechury’s legacy by following his path of love and compassion for the oppressed, helpless, poor and needy. This, he said, will be their tribute and homage to their beloved leader.
Addressing a press conference at the party office in Kulgam, he expressed his grief over the loss of Comrade Yechury, who had been ill for a few weeks and was being treated at the All India Medical Institute. “Unfortunately, Yechury is no longer with us,” he said.
Tarigami described the news as a shock, recalling his close association with the veteran communist leader. He said they were elected to the Central Committee together for the first time. “Yechury had a deep concern for the plight of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. When the Government of India abrogated Article 370, he was among the first to come to Srinagar,” he said.
“Despite being unable to meet him due to house arrest, Yechury did not give up. He went back to the Supreme Court, obtained permission, and met with him,” the CPI(M) said, “I think his personality, character, and concern for Kashmir were very profound. He returned to Delhi, saw my health condition, and again requested the Supreme Court to allow me to be treated in Delhi.”
Tarigami added, “I had the opportunity to go to Delhi through the Supreme Court. Later, during the first press conference in September 2019, I, as a Kashmiri political leader, addressed the nation alongside Sitaram Yechury. The way he presented the situation in J&K showed his deep empathy for the people and a profound understanding of the issues facing the region.”
Tarigami said that Yechury, apart from his role as CPI(M) General Secretary, also worked as an interlocutor between CPI(M) and other political parties, including the United Front and later the UPA under Manmohan Singh’s government.
“Kashmiris have lost a very loyal friend. This is not just a loss for CPI(M). Yechury was determined to do as much as he could. We hope that leaders from other political parties will continue to pay attention to Kashmir,” he said.
