Mr. V.S. Achuthanandan, Torchbearer of Kerala’s Red Legacy, Bows Out at 101

Former Kerala Chief Minister and a veteran communist and freedom fighter, he stood as a towering figure in Kerala’s political arena for decades, embodying the spirit of the communist movement. Though his tone was not always forceful, he remained a resolute and principled opposition leader — a steadfast voice for the marginalized and a committed advocate for the common good.

He was a towering, steel-like figure in Kerala’s communist movement, maintaining a prominent presence in the state’s political landscape for decades. Following a minor stroke in 2019, Mr. Achuthanandan stepped away from public life and had since been living quietly at his son V. Arun Kumar’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

As a fearless opposition leader and a model crusader for both the marginalized and broader public interests, he championed causes like environmental conservation, gender equality, wetland protection, fair wages for nurses, transgender rights, and the advancement of free software. His steadfast dedication to these issues earned him widespread admiration and respect.

Mr. Achuthanandan embarked on his political journey at the age of sixteen, aligning himself with the popular resistance against feudal landlords and colonial rule in Kerala. In 1946, he took an active part in the leftist uprising against the British colonial government, which reached its peak in the historic and tragic Punnapra-Vayalar rebellion in which he was arrested and endured torture while in police custody.

He contested around ten assembly elections, earning the admiration of the public for his uncompromising stance against forest encroachments, the sand mafia, and corruption. One of his most notable initiatives was Operation Munnar, a bold and widely praised campaign launched under his leadership to remove illegal encroachments in the ecologically sensitive region of Munnar.

May his soul find eternal peace. His contributions will remain etched in history.