Over 1,500 members of CPI(M) pledge their bodies for research

Over 1,500 leaders and cadre of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] registered for full body donation on Friday, to mark the first death anniversary of the former party’s general secretary, Sitaram Yechury. Yechury’s body was donated to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for medical education and research.

At a commemorative event, K. Balakrishnan, former State Secretary of the CPI(M), said the objective of mass registration was to send a message that human beings should serve humanity both in life and after death. “This act challenges religious taboos around the handling of dead bodies, which are often seen as impure,” he said.

Mr. Balakrishnan also criticised caste-based burial practices in Tamil Nadu. “Even in death, caste identities are maintained through segregated cremation grounds. Instead of burying or cremating, we should offer our bodies for scientific and medical advancement,” he added.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member P. Vasuki noted Yechury’s death anniversary was being observed across the country, with Tamil Nadu focusing specifically on body donation. State Secretary P. Shanmugam, senior leaders T.K. Rangarajan, K. Samuelraj and others also participated in the event.

Registration forms for body donation were officially handed over to Suganthi Rajakumari, Director of Medical Education, and Sripriya, Deputy Director.