VS Achuthanandan’s family likely to decline Padma Vibhushan, will abide by CPM stand

Strong indications have emerged that the family of late CPM stalwart and former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan is likely to decline the Padma Vibhushan conferred on him posthumously, in line with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) position on accepting official honours.

CPM General Secretary M A Baby on Friday said the party’s stand is that Achuthanandan’s family should not accept the award and that the family would take a decision in accordance with the party line. Clarifying the apparent ambiguity, Baby remarked that if VS were alive, he would not have accepted the honour.

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While the announcement of the Padma Vibhushan was initially welcomed by the party’s state leadership and the family, describing it as recognition of Achuthanandan’s lifelong service to society, the party’s central position has since become decisive.

VS’s son, V A Arun Kumar, had earlier said the family would go by the party’s decision. In a social media post on Thursday, Arun confirmed that the Union Home Ministry had formally informed them of the award and said the family regarded it as an honour to his father’s contributions. However, he noted that the CPM has a clear ideological stand against accepting such state honours.

“As a communist, my father always adhered to party principles. The family will stand by the party’s decision and his ideals,” Arun wrote, adding that the respect VS commands in people’s hearts is greater than any official honour.

The CPM is yet to issue a formal resolution on the matter, but the party leadership’s position has made it increasingly clear that the Padma Vibhushan will not be accepted.