The family of the late Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan has decided to consult the CPI(M) before accepting the posthumous Padma Vibhushan award. Initially welcoming the honour, they now emphasize adherence to party principles amid internal divisions within the party leadership.
The late VS Achuthanandan, a prominent CPI(M) leader and former chief minister of Kerala who passed away last year, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, announced on the eve of Republic Day this year. His son, VA Arun Kumar, initially expressed gratitude for the recognition in a statement shortly after the announcement, describing it as 'a recognition from the country. It is priceless, and the family takes that honour with great pleasure.'
However, on Thursday, Arun Kumar clarified the family's position, stating they had received official communication from the Union Home Secretary regarding the award. He emphasized that the decision to accept or decline would be made only after consulting the party. 'The decision on whether to accept the award or decline it will be taken only after consulting the party. We will go by the party’s decision, whatever it is. There is no ambiguity in this regard,' Arun Kumar told the media.
In a Facebook post earlier that day, he elaborated: 'We consider this award an acknowledgement of his public life and contributions. However, the movement he represented has a clear political stance on accepting such official honours. As a Communist, he always clung steadfast to those values and to the party’s decisions. In this matter, too, the family’s decision will stand by our father’s ideals and the party line.'
The CPI(M) leadership showed signs of division on the matter. Party general secretary MA Baby opined that 'If Achuthanandan were alive, he would not have accepted this award.' In contrast, state secretary MV Govindan supported the family's initial welcome, saying, 'It is not a matter to be decided by the party. His family has welcomed the award. We are wholeheartedly supporting the stance of the family. The party will stand with the decision of VS’s family.' Govindan referenced past instances where leaders like EMS Namboodiripad declined the Padma Vibhushan and Jyoti Basu turned down the Bharat Ratna as personal choices, while noting that Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had accepted the Padma Bhushan.
This development highlights the ongoing tension within communist circles regarding state honours, balancing personal recognition with ideological commitments.
