Red salute, Comrade: VS cremated at Punnapra’s Valiyachudukad amid tearful tributes

Tears and rain merged into one as VS Achuthanandan’s mortal remains were consigned to flames at Valiyachudukad - a memorial to the historic Punnapra-Vayalar agitation that the veteran leader had once been part of. The late Chief Minister was given full state honours at the cremation ground, where his son, Arun Kumar, performed the final rites. A condolence meeting was held at the burial ground following the cremation.

Amid a frenzy of slogans and raised red flags, the sea of mourners slowly parted on Wednesday evening to let the hearse carrying VS Achuthanandan’s body leave the Alappuzha Recreation Ground. The air echoed with chants of revolution and farewell as the leader’s final journey resumed, heading towards the Valiyachudukad cremation ground. Red flags waved, fists rose in salute, and cries of “Inquilab Zindabad” rang out. It was a moment charged with grief, pride, and history — as thousands stepped aside to let their comrade pass one last time.

Alappuzha turned into a sea of mourning as the funeral procession reached the Recreation Ground. Undeterred by the rain and soaking wet, hundreds stood in long queues to catch a final glimpse of the iconic communist leader who helped shape Kerala’s political landscape for decades. Massive arrangements were made to accommodate the swelling crowd. His body was brought from the CPM district committee office, where thousands had gathered earlier in the day to pay their respects.

Homebound
VS Achuthanandan’s final journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Alappuzha was marked by an outpouring of grief, with thousands lining the route irrespective of the late hours and heavy rain. The mourning procession, which began from Durbar Hall in Thiruvananthapuram at 2 pm on Tuesday, took 22 hours to make its way slowly through the districts. The procession had 27 halt points in Thiruvananthapuram, where crowds gathered despite the weather. People stood along the Thiruvananthapuram–Alappuzha National Highway, hoping for one last glimpse of their beloved leader.

In Kollam, where the procession had eight designated halts, people waited all night at junctions. Halt points like Kadampattukonam and Paripally saw particularly large gatherings. Mourners also travelled from nearby areas such as Chadayamangalam, Punalur, and Achankovil to pay their final respects.

The procession entered Alappuzha district around 6.45 am on Wednesday, reaching his ancestral home, Velikakath house in Paravoor, Punnapra, by 12.20 pm. Chants of “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Kanne Karale” echoed through the streets as people gathered in large numbers to salute the 101-year-old CPM stalwart. By 10.30 am, the funeral procession reached Ambalapuzha, the constituency where Achuthanandan began his electoral career. He was defeated there in 1965 but went on to win from the seat in 1967, 1970, and 1977. In many ways, his journey had come full circle.

In Alappuzha, crowds gathered at key junctions such as Haripad, Karuvatta, and Thottappally, with many old comrades turning up to honour the leader they had once campaigned alongside. CPM workers had erected marquees and installed LED screens at several locations to livestream the procession for those who couldn’t get close. With the procession running behind schedule, party leaders instructed local committees to ensure smooth movement and avoid long halts.

A founding member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), VS Achuthanandan was a tireless advocate for workers’ rights, land reforms, and social justice. He served as Kerala’s Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and was elected to the state assembly seven times, including three terms as Leader of the Opposition.