Thousands of mourners have taken to the streets to pay their last respects to VS Achuthanandan, who passed away on Monday. Known affectionately as "VS," he was a founding member of India's most prominent communist party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), and served as chief minister of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday in his hometown of Alappuzha district, with full state honors.
Achuthanandan's legacy is rooted in his lifelong commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Overcoming significant childhood hardships, including the loss of both parents at an early age, and enduring torture at the hands of authorities, he emerged as a champion for the oppressed. MA Baby, the general secretary of CPI(M), noted that "fighting for the rights of the oppressed and the exploited was the guiding principle of his life." Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan echoed these sentiments, describing Achuthanandan as a "limitless repository of inspiration and lessons."
Achuthanandan’s political journey is marked by numerous accolades. He was a three-time leader of the opposition and served on CPI(M)'s Politburo for 23 years, earning a reputation that rivals that of Jyoti Basu, another prominent figure in Indian communism. However, unlike Basu, who was educated in London, Achuthanandan’s rise was grounded in his grassroots activism, where he prioritized people’s issues from the streets rather than the halls of power.
Born into a challenging environment, Achuthanandan began working young and joined the undivided Communist Party at 17. His activism included organizing agricultural laborers during British colonial rule in India. His impactful career featured defining moments, such as leading the historic 1946 revolt against oppressive state authorities, resulting in significant bloodshed.
In addition to labor rights, he fervently advocated for education, women's rights, anti-corruption, and environmental protection. Even in moments of contestation within his party, he remained steadfast—most notably when he met with a widow whose husband had been murdered by CPI(M) members after he broke ranks. Despite facing internal party opposition, Achuthanandan's persistent popularity led to a brief comeback and tenure as chief minister.
After suffering a stroke in 2019, he retired from public life, spending his final years in Thiruvananthapuram with family. As Kerala mourns his passing, Achuthanandan's dedication to people's rights and struggles will be remembered as an enduring influence in the region's political narrative.
