On the sombre day of July 21, 2025, India lost a radiant star of its political firmament. Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan—reverently known as ‘V.S.’—bade farewell to the world after a remarkable life spanning 101 years. His passing was not just the departure of a veteran leader but marked the twilight of a golden era in Kerala’s progressive movement and the broader landscape of Indian left politics. His final journey became a moving reflection of the extraordinary life he led.
From Thiruvananthapuram to his ancestral home in Alappuzha, the funeral procession travelled 150 kilometres over 22 hours. Along the way, an ocean of people—children, elders, youth, and women—lined the route to pay their last respects. Undeterred by heavy rains or the approaching darkness, they waited patiently, a silent and powerful testimony to the love and respect V.S. commanded. This was no ordinary farewell—it was a living expression of the people’s deep connection with a man who embodied their struggles and dreams. The procession became a historic and emotional spectacle, underscoring how an ordinary man, with extraordinary resolve and commitment, became a beacon for millions.
Born on October 20, 1923, in Punnapra, a quiet village in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, Achuthanandan came from a modest, impoverished family. Orphaned at an early age—his mother died when he was four, his father at eleven—his childhood was marked by hardship. He experienced caste discrimination firsthand and was unafraid to speak out, even as a child. Forced to leave school after the seventh grade, he began working in a tailor’s shop and a coir factory. These early struggles exposed him to the harsh realities of life and sowed the seeds of a lifelong commitment to the rights of the oppressed.
His political journey began in 1938 when, at just 15, he joined the Congress Socialist Party. By 1940, drawn by the ideals of Marxism, he became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI). In 1964, when ideological differences split the party, he was among the 32 leaders who formed the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]. He remained the last surviving founding member of the CPI(M).
His life was defined by unyielding struggle. He actively participated in the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising of 1946—one of Kerala’s most significant peasant revolts. Brutally suppressed by the Travancore state, it claimed hundreds of lives. Achuthanandan was imprisoned for over five years and lived underground for nearly four and a half years. At one point, police mistakenly assumed him dead after a torture session and began preparing for his burial—only for him to recover and return to the struggle.
His mission was clear: “It is our duty to fight for the rights of the oppressed and deprived.” Throughout his life, he helped build robust movements of agricultural workers and the working class, especially in Kuttanad, resisting bonded labour and caste oppression. His speeches were powerful, deeply resonating with the common people, earning him the title “the heart of the working class.”
He was not merely a speaker of ideals but a practitioner of them. With unwavering ethics and deep faith in people’s power, he remained a man of action. “People’s power will conquer all,” he often said—not as rhetoric, but as lived conviction.
At the age of 82, Achuthanandan became Chief Minister of Kerala (2006–2011), the oldest to hold the post in the state's history. His tenure was marked by fearless governance, clear-headed decision-making, and an uncompromising stance on people’s welfare.
He focused on eradicating poverty, expanding education, and improving healthcare. Believing that “education is a powerful weapon,” he worked to make it more accessible, particularly for underprivileged children. His government promoted free and open-source software, introducing it into public education—a pioneering move in India.
He took bold and often controversial decisions—taking on the Coca-Cola plant in Plachimada over environmental concerns, confronting the land mafia in Munnar, and launching demolition drives to reclaim public land. He cracked down on illegal lottery syndicates and brought attention to neglected cases of sexual violence. His courage and commitment to justice won him immense respect. He never hesitated to stand up against powerful interests if it meant defending people’s rights.
The passing of V.S. Achuthanandan has left an irreplaceable void, yet his legacy remains immortal. He was a leader who gave everything to the cause of the poor, the farmers, and the working class. His honesty, simplicity, and deep connection with the masses ensured that he will be remembered not only as a politician but as a moral force.
The CPI(M) hailed him as an “outstanding leader and public servant.” His funeral drew thousands—from children to the elderly—all mourning his loss and celebrating his life. It was not just a farewell but an outpouring of love and gratitude for a leader who lived for the people.
Achuthanandan proved that leadership grounded in integrity, humility, and dedication can outlast time. His ideals, his struggles, and his vision will continue to guide those striving for a more just and compassionate society. He is gone, but he remains—an eternal flame in the hearts of the people.
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