The mortal remains of freedom fighter and veteran CPI(M) leader N. Sankaraiah were cremated on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Besant Nagar crematorium in Chennai, with State honours. Police personnel gave a gun salute to the deceased leader.
Sankaraiah, who was a founding member of the CPI (M), died at a private hospital in Chennai, on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. He was 101. T.N. CM M.K. Stalin had announced a funeral with State honours for the veteran Marxist.
Earlier in the day, Sankaraiah’s mortal remains were taken in a procession through the city. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau members Prakash Karat, G. Ramakrishnan, A.K. Padmanabhan, State secretary K. Balakrishnan, State leaders U. Vasuki, P. Selvasingh and others formed part of the procession.
When it reached Adyar, scores of party cadres clad in red shirts and khaki pants, holding red flags, joined the procession. Party cadres also raised slogans in praise of Sankaraiah.
In his funeral speech, Mr. Yechury said Sankaraiah’s passing was a great loss to the communist movement, party, and Tamil Nadu. “He led an eventful revolutionary life. He was an inspiration to various generations of youth, including mine, and he always had the spirit... He had the commitment and passion for revolutionary changes in India,” he said.
Mr. Yechury said Sankaraiah was consistently committed to the revolutionary principles of Marxism and Leninism and whenever there was a deviation, he would fight against it. “It was the commitment that made him walk away with 32 others from the national council of the CPI and form the CPI(M). He also proved his mettle as an organiser, legislator and party leader,” he said.
DMK MP A. Raja, organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and other leaders also paid their respects.
