Human rights and environmental activist VB Ajayakumar no more

KODUNGALLUR: Human rights and environmental activist V.B. Ajayakumar (49) passed away. He passed away at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram early yesterday morning. He is the International Convener of the New York-based Alliance of Climate Frontline Communities and the founder of the NGO "Rights", which works for Dalit, tribal and marginalised communities. He had spoken at the international conference organised by the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Bangkok in September 2024.

VB Ajayakumar was a speaker at the 5th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific organized by the United Nations Environment Programme in Sri Lanka in October 2023. He came to public prominence through movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan and People's Watch. Ajayakumar has presented papers for marginalised communities at several UN conferences. He was an invitee at conferences discussing climate change. Ajayakumar led several projects for Dalit, tribal and coastal students during the 2018 floods.

Revenue Minister K. Rajan, CPI District Secretary K.G. Sivanandan, former Minister V.S. Sunilkumar, MLAs E.T. Tyson and V.R. Sunilkumar and others paid their respects to the body, which was kept for public homage at VB Ajayakumar's house in Neelakampara in the afternoon. The funeral took place at 5 pm at the Kodungallur Municipal Crematorium. Mother: Devi. Wife: Sini. Children: Niranjana, Neelanjana (both students).