The family of former Kerala Chief Minister and late Communist leader V S Achyuthanandan has decided to return the Padma Vibhushan that was conferred on him posthumously, stating that the move is in keeping with the CPI(M)’s ideological position and long-established tradition.

The announcement was made by his son Arun Kumar in a social media post on Thursday.

Achyuthanandan, a prominent figure in Kerala’s political landscape and a senior CPI(M) leader, was named for the Padma Vibhushan by the Union government on the eve of Republic Day this year.

Arun Kumar, however, said the family’s final decision reflects his father’s unwavering commitment to Communist ideals and the party’s stand on state honours.

In his post, Arun Kumar said that, "the political party that my father represented has a clear political stand on such official honours. As a Communist, my father always firmly held those ideologies. Hence the party will also stand by those ideologies."

He added that the family believes the affection and respect Achyuthanandan commanded among the people is considered by the party as the highest form of recognition.

Arun Kumar also explained that although he had initially welcomed the Padma Vibhushan announcement, the family later chose to consult the party leadership before arriving at a final decision, given their close association with the CPI(M).

Soon after the award was announced, Arun Kumar had publicly expressed happiness over the decision and had shared a social media post accepting the honour.

At the time, CPI(M) Kerala state secretary M V Govindan told Mathrubhumi News, " Earlier, party leaders rejected the awards based on their individual stands. VS family has expressed happiness. All of us are happy. The party also welcomes it."

However, CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby had expressed a different view, saying Achyuthanandan would have refused the honour had he been alive.

 As reported by Deccan Herald, he said, “the issue now is that VS is no more. What would have VS done if he was alive?...He would have said thank you for choosing but he is unable to accept it. Now, it is for the family to say (whether to accept or not). The family has said they are happy. Govindan has also expressed happiness.”

He further added, "The issue of accepting it or not is a different issue. That is for the family to discuss and decide."

The CPI(M) has consistently opposed state and international honours, viewing them as incompatible with its ideological outlook. In 1992, Kerala’s first Chief Minister E M S Namboodiripad refused the Padma Vibhushan. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu declined the Bharat Ratna in 2008, while former Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja turned down the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2022.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had also declined the Padma Bhushan on January 25, 2022, shortly after the award was announced.

In a statement issued on the same day, the CPI(M) said, "Com. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya who was nominated for the Padma Bhushan award has declined to accept it. The CPI(M) policy has been consistent in declining such awards from the State. Our work is for the people not for awards. Com EMS who was earlier offered an award had declined it."

Bhattacharya himself had said, "I don't know anything about Padma Bhushan Award, nobody told me anything about this. If I have been awarded Padma Bhushan then I am rejecting it."

The decision by Achyuthanandan’s family to return the Padma Vibhushan is being viewed as a reaffirmation of this long-standing CPI(M) tradition, highlighting the party’s consistent position on official honours and the principles that shaped the late leader’s political life.