CPI(M) Leader Sitaram Yechury Son Passes Away Due to COVID-19

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said his elder son Ashish died of COVID-19 in the morning.

Ashish Yechury, who would have turned 35 on June 9, was recovering well at Gurgaon’s Medanta Hospital, people close to the family added, describing his sudden death at 5.30 am after a two-week battle with the disease as a shock.

“It is with great sadness that I have to inform that I lost my elder son, Ashish Yechury to COVID-19 this morning. I want to thank all those who gave us hope and who treated him – doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, sanitation workers and innumerable others who stood by us,” Mr Yechury said on Twitter.

It is with great sadness that I have to inform that I lost my elder son, Ashish Yechury to COVID-19 this morning. I want to thank all those who gave us hope and who treated him – doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, sanitation workers and innumerable others who stood by us.

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 22, 2021

Condolences poured in for the CPI(M) leader and his family after he announced the death of his older son, who was battling the infection for two weeks and was getting better when things took a turn for the worse.

Politicians cutting across parties, journalists and other Twitter users sent in their condolences to Mr Yechury and his family. Thousands of people expressed their shock and sent messages of solidarity with the family.

My deepest condolences to Shri Sitaram Yechury and his family. There are no words at a time like this, only prayers. May you have courage.

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 22, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted a condolence message and termed Ashish Yechury’s death “tragic and untimely”.

Condolences to Shri Sitaram Yechury Ji and his family on the tragic and untimely demise of his son, Ashish. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2021

Devastated by the news @SitaramYechury @seemay. There is no greater loss for a parent to endure. May you find the strength to bear the inexpressible grief of your loss. My heart goes out to you at this painful time.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 22, 2021

Ashish, who studied at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, worked in several publications, including the Times of India in Delhi, before moving to Pune.

Deeply saddened and pained to hear about the loss of Ashish Yechury.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to Comrade @SitaramYechury, his family and friends at this difficult time.

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 22, 2021

Ashish Yechury was recovering well at the hospital, news agency PTI reported, quoting people close to the family. He was working as an Assistant Editor at news and media critique platform Newslaundry. He had joined the company in January. “We remember him as a warm, gentle and talented friend and colleague. Words fail us but we’d like to extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones in this hour of grief,” Newslaundry said in a tweet. He had earlier worked with several other media organisations.

Dear Com. @SitaramYechury, our deepest condolences on the loss of Ashish. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. https://t.co/iraYm2f9Cg

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) April 22, 2021

The CPI(M) Politburo issued a statement announcing the death and offering its condolences to the family.

“We are deeply sorry to announce the passing away this morning (22 April) of Ashish Yechury, son of Sitaram Yechury and Indrani Mazumdar. He died of Covid related complications. He was 35 years old.

“The Polit Bureau conveys it deepest condolences to Sitaram and Indrani, his wife Swati, his sister Akhila and all other members of the bereaved family,” the statement said.

Dear comrade, we have no words to express our shock at this tragedy. Our deepest condolences comrade, in this hour of grief and pain that no one should have to suffer – and yet so many are being forced to suffer.

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) April 22, 2021

India is in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and has recorded over three lakh fresh COVID-19 cases and 2,104 deaths in the last 24 hours.