• ‘My Story’ by Com. Jyoti Basu
  • About
  • Settlement of Medical Bills of Pensioners
  • Historic Victory!
  • Disclosure Policy

VAN Namboodiri's Blog

~ Welcome to V.A.N. Namboodiri's blog…

VAN Namboodiri's Blog

Tag Archives: AKG

Remembering Com. A.K.G., the Commander of the Downtrodden.

21 Saturday Mar 2020

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNL, CITU, General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

AKG, Suseela

22nd March 2020, is the 43rd death anniversary of Comrade A.K.Gopalan, veteran working class leader, PBM, CPI(M) and the first Opposition (Group) Leader in the Indian Parliament. He died on 22nd March 1977 after a long illness.

Com. AKG, as he is popularly called was an indomitable fighter of the working class and toiling masses. His entire life was full of struggles for the downtrodden people. He was arrested and put in jail many times both by the British as well as the Indian rulers. Com.AKG, who was in the forefront of the Independence struggle was in Cannanore Central Jail even on 15th August 1947, on the day India got Independence, even though almost all the freedom fighters who were in jail were released.

Comrade AKG could not tolerate injustice. Wherever and whenever he saw injustice, he jumped in to the struggle against the onslaught. There are any number of such struggles which AKG led and succeeded. It was the three great leaders, Coms. P.Krishna Pillai, E.M.S.Namboodiripad and AKG who built and strengthened the Communist Party in Kerala.

I had the opportunity to meet Comrade AKG several times and seek his guidance. During many of his visits to Calicut along with his wife, Com. Susheela Gopalan, who herself was a senior leader, Member of Parliament and later Minister in Kerala, I had the fortune to receive them at the Railway Station and to bring them to the house where they were to stay. One such time, AKG was ill and for many weeks he was not able to speak due to illness. Myself along with Com. M.Balasubramanian, the Dist. Secretary E.III Union, went to the Railway station and took him to the house of Advocate P.K.Kunhirama Poduval where they used to stay. After reaching Calicut, two senior doctors, Dr.CBC Warrier and Dr. N.S.Venugopalan checked him and stated that he was better. In fact AKG was able to speak bit by bit. That day the Confederation of Central Government Employees, of which I was the convener, had arranged a meeting in the Mudalakkulam maidan in connection with an All India strike next day. I very meekly asked the doctors whether I can request AKG to address the strike meeting. AKG immediately agreed and the doctors consented provided he would not speak more than five minutes. AKG agreed to the condition and it was decided that he will address the meeting.

The news that Com.AKG will address the meeting in the evening of the day spread like wildfire. Irrespective of party affiliation, people in thousands gathered at the maidan to hear Com.AKG, his first speech after several weeks. The meeting started in time and after welcome etc. Com.AKG was requested to address. He started speaking and the audience sat in pin-drop silence to hear their beloved leader. The stipulated period of five minutes was over, but he continued speaking. Then Com.Suseela Gopalan, who was also on the stage, reminded him the doctors’ advice. He laughed away the request, openly telling the public that he knew when to stop. All were very much worried. Then Com. M.K.Kelu (Keluettan), one of the senior most leader of the CPI(M) who was also present, openly requested him to stop his speech considering his health. The audience also in one voice supported the request. Then and then only, AKG stopped his speech, thanked all and sat down. Such was his love for the people who even in the face of severe illness could not stop interacting with them.

I remember another incident which again shows the tenacity of Com. AKG in fighting against all attacks on the working class. It was during the 1974 Railway Strike demanding Bonus. The strike was to start from 8th May but due to mass arrest of the leaders and workers and victimisation, it started two days earlier. The Central government met the strike with utmost cruelty and vengeance. Tens of thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. Railway Quarters were searched and even the family members were beaten and harassed not finding the striking workers. In many staff quarters water connection, electricity connection etc. were cut. In Calicut, the procession organized in support of the strike was attacked and people beaten and two news paper reporters also badly beaten and hospitalised. It was terror unleashed for the railway workers and their families.

It was at this time that Com. AKG along with Com. Suseela Gopalan arrived at Calicut. He was not at all well and the doctors advised complete rest. When I reported to him about the serious situation, he wanted to go to the railway quarters immediately. Though we tried to stop him going, he was adamant. We started for the Railway Colony. He stepped out from the car at the entry to the colony and told that we will walk. Com.A.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran NGO Union leader and some other comrades also reached by the time. We were about 6-7 people and led by Coms AKG and Suseela we started slowly walking in to the colony through the small road. Women and children who were alone in the houses saw AKG and started joining us. Within a few minutes, it became a jatha and culminated in the school premises inside the colony. By the time, police also came to the spot. Party comrades also reached. A loudspeaker was brought and Com.AKG started speaking. One police official, without knowing who it was speaking, came forward and threatened to arrest. AKG told him that ‘I am AKG and you can arrest me’. The poor policeman was dumbfounded and became silent. By that time, senior police officers came and the situation became normal. AKG spoke consoling the families of Railwaymen and told that nothing will happen to them, and also warned the police officers that he will come and sit there in dharna if the harassment continues. Within a few minutes the meeting was over after Com. Suseela Gopalan also addressed.After this incident, there was a halt to the harassment of the families in the colony.

It was his forceful speech along with that of Comrade Nath Pai and other opposition leaders in the Parliament against the victimisation of Central Government employees who participated in the historic July 1960 strike that compelled the Jawaharlal Nehru government to take back all the thousands of workers who were dismissed or suspended. It was the same in the case of the 1968 Strike victimisation. For vacating the victimisation, he fought inside and outside the Parliament, even attending many meetings in Kerala.

In all Indian Coffee Houses through out India, one can see the photo of Com. A.K.G. placed in a most prominent place inside, as a token of respect and thanks to the great leader who saved the Indian Coffee Houses and its workers, when the Govt decided to close them. Com. A.K.G. discussed with the Government and all these Coffee Houses were handed over to the co-operatives formed by the workers.

Com.AKG was one of the senior CPI(M) leaders who was not arrested and jailed during Emergency, being very sick. When he came to Calicut during the period myself and Com. N.Ramesh, then Divl. Secretary of E.III Union went to meet him. He was very tired and sick, but asked about the situation in Calicut. When we were returning, he told us ” your job is not to get arrested, but to continue the resistance work against the Emergency and safeguard your workers.” Probably he might have been hinting at my being taken in to custody by Special Branch and questioned for hours a few days back.

He was sick and was under treatment for many months. During this period Com. T.K.Karunan, then leader of Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Workers , came to my rented line house near Sreekandeswara Kshetram and handed over a letter stating that he had gone to meet AKG at Alappuzha hearing that he was not well. He told that Com.AKG was always his beloved leader,despite political difference. The letter was in the handwriting of Com. Suseela and signed by AKG. Whatever he commanded, was done immediately.

Com. AKG died on 22nd March 1977. The Congress party was rooted out in the election, but probably he might not have known the same as he was in coma. The news of the death of the dear leader was a shock to all. His body was brought to his home place in Kannur District. Through out the way in all district headquarters, thousands of people came to pay homage to their departed leader. The condolence meeting held at Kalliasseri was attended by more than ten thousand people. Along with some comrades, we also went there. Almost all the PB members were present. While speaking, Coms. E.K.Nayanar and Mrs. Kamalam broke in to tears and wept due to emotion and memories. Such was the close relation of Com. AKG to all whom he met.Every one who met him even once had the feeling that he specially cared for him. All those who came in contact will have many such incidents to remember. He was very close to all and was loved by all.

A.K.G.Bhawan in New Delhi, the Central Committee office of CPI(M), A.K.G.Centre, the State Committee office of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram and many party offices are named in honour of Com. A.K.G. I used to visit 4, Ashoka Road, New Delhi, where he stayed for many years as Member of Parliament, even after his departure, as it was there where many of us met him and presented our problems and difficulties for being taken in the Parliament. Still the name of 4, Ashoka Road brings many memories, though the bungalow has been vacated by CPI(M) after the elections in 1914. In fact, the govt should have maintained it as a memorial to AKG, a long time Opposition Leader of the Parliament.

BSNL Employees Union was formed on 22nd March 2001, on the 24th death anniversary of Com. A.K.G. It was not accidental, but a conscious decision.

My respectful homage to the memory of this great revolutionary and working class leader on his 43rd death anniversary!

RED SALUTE TO COM. AKG, COMMANDER OF THE PROLETARIAT!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Com. AKG, ” The Crusader of the Downtrodden”, the British, the Congress and the Emergency.

23 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, General, History

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

AKG, Emergency, Independence

India got Independence on 15th August 1947 putting an end to the British rule of about two hundred years, including that of East India Company. Many freedom fighters became martyrs in the struggle for independence. Congress, Communists, Socialists – all fought for freedom of the country.

But when the country became independent on 15th August 1947, there was one freedom fighter still in jail. It was Comrade A.K.Gopalan (Com. AKG). While hundreds of freedom fighters in jail were released, the Congress Govt. did not release him. Com. AKG hoisted the Indian Flag in the Jail and saluted it.

Again,there was the struggle against the hated draconian Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975, when her election to Parliament was declared invalid. Almost all leaders of political parties, except Congress, were arrested and jailed. The press was silenced. Fascist methods were used against protesting people. Com. AKG, naturally opposed the Emergency tooth and nail.But due to his serious illness, he was not arrested. His illness took a turn to the worse and he passed away on 23rd March 1977.

The Emergency was withdrawn on 24th March 1997. The Congress was utterly defeated in the General elections and a Non- Congress Government for the first time in India was formed at Centre. Political leaders and trade union leaders and others were released. But Comrade AKG could not know about the good news. He was in comma for a few days earlier and passed away before the withdrawal of Emergency and formation of the Janata Government which won the elections with huge margin.

His famous words are significant and prophetic in this context: ‘I may not be alive to see the victory of the people. But it is a certainty that it will come sooner or later’.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Homage to Coms. Ajoy Ghosh and A.K.Gopalan on their Birthday.

20 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in Obituary, Tributes

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Ajoy Ghosh, AKG, birthday, Homage

Today, 20th February, is the birth anniversary of two prominent Communist leaders viz. Com.A.K.Gopalan (1904) and Com. Ajoy Ghosh (1909).
Com. Ajoy Ghosh was closely connected with Shaheed Bhagat Singh and was part of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. He was jailed in the Lahore Conspiracy case which was part of suppressing the Communist Party. Ajoy Ghosh was the General Secretary of the Communist party of India from 1951 till his death in 1962.
Com. A.K.Gopalan, fondly called Com. AKG was one of the tallest leaders of the working class in India. There is no limit to the militant struggles he has organised and has been part of. He was Polit Bureau Member of the CPI(M) from its inception in 1964 to 1977 till his death. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament for long years since 1954. While India celebrated Independence Day on 15th August 1947, Com.AKG was in jail. He raised the National flag in the jail.
It is a coincidence how the birthdays of these two communist stalwarts happened to be the same day.
Red Salute to the memory of these great communists on their Birthday Anniversary!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Welcome to my blog…

Welcome to my personal blog. Kindly let me know your comments and suggestions...

Blog Stats

  • 1,553,068 hits till today

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,341 other subscribers

Facebook link

Facebook link

Flag Counter (Latest)

free counters

Tag Cloud

78.2% 78.2% IDA AIBDPA Air india black money Bonus BSNL BSNLCCWF BSNLEU BSNL for Better Service BSNL strike Casual labour CEC CG employees CITU closure CMD CMD BSNL Contract workers corruption CPI(M) Cuba death anniversary Defence Delhi Dharna Disinvestment DOT EPF EPFO FDI Forum Gratuity Greece India India corruption Kerala Left Parties Merger Minimum Wage MTNL National convention NCCPA NPA opposition Palestine Parliament. Parliament March penalty pension Pensioners privatisation Protest PSU PSU Banks PSUs Railways Revival of BSNL Save BSNL SBI SC Spectrum Spectrum Auction strike Telecom Telecom TU Movement Tower company TRAI US VII CPC Vodafone W.Bengal Wage revision wages WFTU

Categories

  • 2G Scam Corruption
  • AIBDPA – BSNL DOT Pensioners
  • AUAB
  • B.N.Ghosh Book
  • BSNL
  • BSNL – Better Service to the Nation
  • BSNL News
  • BSNLCCWF – Casual and Contract workers
  • BSNLEU
  • CG Employees
  • CITU
  • coal gate scam
  • Corruption
  • CTU
  • Disinvestment
  • Forum
  • General
  • General Elections 2014
  • History
  • IDA
  • Independence Struggle
  • India Left
  • Kerala
  • Kerala floods
  • Kerala LDF Government
  • Left News
  • Membership Verification
  • NCCPA
  • Neo-liberal policy
  • News
  • Obituary, Tributes
  • P&T TU History
  • P&T TU Movement
  • Parliament
  • Pension
  • Politics India
  • Post
  • Postal Service
  • Price Rise
  • privatisation
  • PSU
  • Railway
  • Railway
  • SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN
  • SCFWA
  • Spectrum
  • Sustained struggles
  • Telecom
  • Telecom TU Movement 1991-2015
  • Train Journeys
  • TU News
  • TU News – India
  • TU News – International
  • TU News – Telecom specific
  • TUI of P&R
  • TUI of Pensioners and Retirees
  • Uncategorized
  • VII CPC
  • VII Membership Verification
  • VISIT THE PAST
  • Wage Revision BSNL – 2017
  • WFTU
  • Women
  • WORLD NEWS

Blogroll

  • BSNLEU CHQ Website

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • July 2010

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Pages

  • ‘My Story’ by Com. Jyoti Basu
  • About
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Historic Victory!
  • Settlement of Medical Bills of Pensioners
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • VAN Namboodiri's Blog
    • Join 489 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • VAN Namboodiri's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: