V.S. Achuthanandan’ s son says CPI(M) will decide whether or not to accept Padma Vibhushan

Late Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader V.S. Achuthanandan’s son, V.A. Arun Kumar, on Thursday took to Facebook to say that his family will take a decision on accepting the Padma Vibhushan conferred on the late leader in line with the CPI(M)’s stance and the late leader’s views on such honours. 

Mr. Arun Kumar said he had received a letter from the Centre regarding the second-highest civilian honour. He stated that the family draws its strength from the love and respect showered by the people on Achuthanandan for his mass struggles and the unflinching positions he held high for decades. The family, therefore, considers the Padma Vibhushan an honour for his public life. 

“However, the party he represented has a clear stance on accepting such official honours. As a communist, he held such values and the party’s decisions closely. So, the family’s decision on accepting the honour will be in tandem with my father’s ideals and the party’s position on the matter,” Mr. Arun Kumar wrote. 

“We value his position in the hearts of the people higher than any honour,” he concluded, thanking the people for their love for the departed leader. 

The post has given rise to speculations whether Achuthanandan’s family will decline the honour, a position that was famously taken by the likes of yesteryear CPI(M) leaders E.M.S. Namboodiripad and Jyoti Basu.

A Facebook post made by Mr. Arun Kumar soon after the announcement of the honour on January 25 had created the impression that the family was elated at the State-conferred honour.

The CPI(M) has not so far made its position known on the issue.