Today, 20th May, is the death Anniversary of Com.M.K.Kelu, popularly known as Kelu Ettan . He died in 1991. For a very long time he was the District Secretary of the CPI (M), Kozhikode.
One of the pioneers of the communist movement in Kerala, Keluettan was in the forefront of every struggle. Due to his big stature and body build, he was always the target of police atrocities. I still remember when during a protest dharna, he was beaten in the head by the police breaking his skull and blood spurting out. Immediate attention in the hospital only saved his life. He was respected by all for his simplicity, humble behaviour and the affection that he showed to each and every body. Even Comrade EMS Namboodiripad used to call him Keluettan though he may have been younger than EMS.
Once when Com.EMS came to Calicut and was resting in the Rest House at West Hill, I went there to meet him. Com.Chandran who was with EMS called me and told me confidently that the shirt of EMS is old and torn, but he is still using the same and asked me to speak to EMS to purchase a new one. I was afraid to speak. So when comrade Kelu Ettan cam a little later I told the problem to him. Immediately Kelu Ettan went to EMS and told him “I am taking this shirt with me and going to purchase a similar one from the market”. EMS could not object to Kelu Ettan and thus a new readymade shirt was purchased. Many people could not take such freedom with Comrade EMS.
Comrade Kelu Ettan came to my house warming function. Immediately after entering the house, he admonished me stating that why the gate is so small that even a car could not enter. He asked me to make the gate wider which I did later. He was fond of food and once or twice he took the initiative in coming to my home to eat vegetarian food.
It was rarely that he spoke about his past. However we got a chance to hear some of the past struggles etc. from him after a meal in a comrade Balasubramanian’s house. Comrades Balasubramanian and Aboobacker (Deshabhimani) were there. I remember that the narration was published in the NFPTE souvenir.
In 1980s, there was some problem between the staff of Telephone Exchange and the police. Both the offices were nearby and the police in large numbers trespassed the telephone exchange to arrest the union leaders. The entire telecom staff went on strike immediately. I was on duty and the police was searching for me to take in to custody. Getting the information, within a few minutes comrade Kelu Ettan and other comrades reached the exchange and a strong protest meeting was held and during that I escaped arrest and went underground. The strike continued for three days which became a Kerala Circle strike. The State Government had to intervene and an amicable agreement was reached after the concerned police officers were transferred.
I had a lot of pleasant memories regarding Keluettan. As with everybody, he was affectionate with me also. Whenever there was any doubt about any programme or how to plan it, he patiently gave the guidance.
I pay my respectful homage to the memory of this great leader.