Veteran CPI(M) leader R Umanath passes away

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former MP R Umanath passed away at a private hospital here today due to age-related illness.

He was 93 and is survived by two daughters, one an advocate and another a party functionary. His wife had predeceased him.

Umanath, a former CPI(M) Politburo member was firmly opposed to the LTTE and creation of a separate 'Eelam' (homeland) for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

He was an MP representing Pudukottai from 1962 to 1965 and an MLA from Nagapattinam during 1977-80.

Umanath was also former vice president of Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) and former state secretary of CPI(M).
In a condolence resolution, CPI(M) Politburo expressed deep grief at the death of Umanath, saying he was "a staunch Marxist-Leninist who set an example of the Communist style of work among the working class."

As a member of the Politburo from 1991 till 2008 and the Central Committee, Umanath made "notable contribution to the evolution of the party's ideological and political line."

Umanath began his political activity as a young student by participating in the freedom struggle and became a whole timer of the undivided Communist Party, the CPI(M) said, adding he was "a talented organiser" of the trade unions and played an important role in building the trade union movement in Tamil Nadu, before serving as the national Vice President of the CITU till 2010.

When the Communist Party was banned by British rulers, Umanath was convicted along with other communist leaders in the Madras conspiracy case and jailed for two and a half years.

He spent a total of nine and half years in jail both before and after Independence. He also spent seven years underground, the last being during the Emergency in 1975-77.

Married to veteran communist and women's leader Pappa Umanath, the party said they both were an inspiring example of dedicated work and simple style of living.

The All India Democratic Women's Association also expressed condolences at his death and said Umanath was known to take gender sensitive positions on issues, thereby encouraging women's entry into politics and political leadership within the party.

"He would oppose patriarchal norms within and outside the party uncompromisingly. He lived his own life on these principles and would not tolerate rationalisation of anti- women practices, the AIDWA said.

It said Umanath was "a stickler for discipline and straightforward in his criticism, qualities that helped towards organisational consolidation when his guidance was sought by various organisations. His simplicity and charm made him very popular among the common people."

Umanath's marriage to Pappa signified "the beginning of a long lasting comradeship that was touching and inspiring to many who sought equality within the married home," the leading women's organisation said in the statement.