Three books based on late CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury’s writings on culture, media, science and secularism were released on Friday.
Published by Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) and Tulika Books, the three books include the Hindi translation of Yechury’s 1993 English book Hindu Rashtra Hai Kya. The other two are: The Fight for the Republic, which consists of three essays, two devoted to Hindutva and one to India @75; and reflections on culture, media and science.
Yechury died on September 12 at AIIMS in Delhi.
Former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat released the books in the presence of economist Prabhat Patnaik, emeritus professor CP Chandrasekhar of JNU’s Center for Economic Studies and Planning, Ram Rahman of Sehmat, advocate Raju Ramachandran and Lokalhar editor Rajendra Sharma.
In March 1993, months after the destruction of the Babri Masjid, Sitaram published What is Hindu Rashtra? Sitaram made a serious effort to understand what were these forces leading the Ram Temple movement and demolishing the Babri Masjid… RSS. He saw the demolition of the Babri Masjid as the beginning of the rise of Hindutva forces to seize power,” Karat said:
He added that Yechury’s writings revealed MS Golwalkar’s definition of We or Our Nationalism as a “manual” for the RSS and the RSS ideology of “caste purity”. He recalled that after reading Yechury’s essay, lawyer AG Noorani treated him like biryani.
About Yechury’s scientific approach, Karat said that “his understanding of science surprised me, as he was a student of economics”. That scientific approach also led Yachury to say that Hindutva forces are irrational forces, Karat added.
Yechury’s friend Ramachandran recalled his “curious mixture of Deccani accent with the twang of Stefanian slang”. Reminiscing with a touch of humour, he said Yechury would borrow his notes but “he got the first, I got the second”.
Rahman spoke about Yechury’s contribution to the organisation, saying it would not have survived without the CPI(M) leader.
Patnaik described Yechury as “one of the brilliant academic minds who chose to become a full-timer in the Communist movement”. Chandrasekhar said three books have been brought out to celebrate Yachuri’s life. Editor Sharma discussed the themes of Yachuri’s writings.