Alappuzha: Kerala paid its last respects to one of its tallest political figures, V.S. Achuthanandan, as he was cremated with full State honours at the Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs’ Memorial in Valiya Chudukkad at 9.15 p.m. on Wednesday. The cremation took place on the very soil that profoundly shaped his life, ideology, and decades-long political journey.
Thousands gathered to bid an emotional farewell to the veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, who was not only a former Chief Minister but also a living symbol of Kerala’s Left movement and anti-feudal struggles.
The funeral pyre was lit by his son Arun Kumar, using traditional materials such as firewood and dry coconut leaves. Despite the heavy rain, supporters and party workers stood solemnly, many with tearful eyes, as slogans echoed the spirit of the leader they revered.
Valiya Chudukkad, where many martyrs and leaders of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising are laid to rest, holds deep symbolic value in Kerala’s communist history. Achuthanandan now rests among stalwarts like P.K. Chandranandan, K.R. Gouri Amma, T.V. Thomas, and P.T. Punnose, whose lives were also intertwined with Kerala’s revolutionary legacy.
The final journey began from the SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where V.S. Achuthanandan passed away on July 21 at 3:30 p.m. following a heart attack. His body was taken on a 22-hour journey with public homage paid at the CPIM district committee office and Recreation Ground before arriving at the cremation site.
No elaborate rituals were held, as per the late leader’s wishes. His funeral was marked by simplicity, reflecting the ethos of the man who remained deeply connected to the people and causes he stood for.
Kerala has lost not just a political leader, but a symbol of resilience, integrity, and unwavering commitment to social justice.
