Muppu Sai Kumar
Did you know that Sitaram Yechury, a lifelong communist and one of the most prominent politicians of the past four decades, could’ve been an alumnus of Osmania University?
Young Yechury had enrolled for his undergraduate studies at Osmania University in Hyderabad in the early 1970s. However, due to the Telangana student agitation (1969–71) and the unrest that prevailed on the campus, Osmania University was frequently closed. As a result, he moved to Delhi.
He completed his B.A. at St. Stephen’s College and later pursued his M.A. at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). It was at JNU where his political ideology took shape. He became actively involved with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), joining as a student activist.
While he was at JNU, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had declared Emergency, a political event that marked a major inflection point the country’s political trajectory. Yechury played a strong role in opposing the Emergency and was subsequently arrested for his activism. In 1977, he was elected President of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), emerging as one of the most impactful student leaders from JNU.
A year later, he formally joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist), following his Marxist convictions and long-standing commitment to progressive politics. Over the years, he held several key positions in the party, eventually becoming the CPI(M)’s General Secretary.
In 1996, Yechury was elected to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. As a Member of Parliament, he was recognised as a skilled parliamentarian, known for his deep knowledge of foreign policy, the economy, and constitutional matters.
With his passing, India lost a fearless advocate of secularism and social justice, and Osmania University missed out on producing an illustrious alumnus.
His contributions to the student movement, parliamentary debates, and the vision of the Left will be remembered in history. His struggles and beliefs continue to inspire the ongoing fight for social justice and equality.