A K GOPALAN
Ayillyath Kuttiari Gopalan (1 October 1904 – March 22, 1977), popularly known
as A. K. Gopalan or AKG, was an Indian Communist leader and first leader of
opposition in India.
He was an affectionate comrade, caring and enquiring about the well being of his
comrades; he was a leader par excellence; he deeply felt for the poor and the
underprivileged and they in turn identified with him; he was a colleague who
respected the views of others even if he had reservations and differences; he was
like a saint to many; he was one who lent an ear to anyone who approached him.
To millions of ordinary people in Kerala, AKG, as he was popularly known, was an
icon.
These are some qualities that made Comrade AKG stand apart from the broad
spectrum of political leadership in the country. One of the major and early
political events with which AKG was associated with was the Temple entry
movement at Guruvayur. Facing brutal repression AKG led batches of satyagrahis
in 1931 demanding rights for the lower castes to enter the temple. This was a
movement that challenged the social settings and had far reaching consequences.
Distraught with the withdrawal of the Civil Disobedience Movement and
disillusioned with the Congress, AKG was in the forefront founding the Congress
Socialist Party in Kerala, with a view to link the struggle for national freedom with
the struggle for social revolution. The success of the October Socialist Revolution
had provided a big inspiration. His everlasting thirst for knowledge led him to
study the theory of scientific socialism. It was during this period in 1938 that AKG
alongwith P Krishna Pillai, EMS Namboodiripad and others formed the Communist
Party in Kerala.
In the forties, once when he was forced to go underground, I had taken him to
Bhatinda in Punjab and entrusted him to the care of a family sympathetic to our
movement. When he was elected to parliament, he marked himself out as a
legislator of a different genre. He was a revolutionary parliamentarian who voiced
the issues and demands of the people particularly the working class and the
peasantry in parliament. The 25 years of his parliamentary life was marked by
ruthless exposure of ministers and bureaucrats. Even his political opponents,
despite their disagreements, would listen to AKG with rapt attention. That was
the amount of respectability and acceptability that he commanded.
Comrade AKG had a healthy practice of forthrightly placing one’s view. This was a
trait that he observed till the very end of his life. Even when a divergent view was
expressed he was always ready to listen to others and willing to accept the other
view and correct his own when he was convinced. He learnt from the criticisms
made against him. Neither did he hesitate in criticising the other’s view point. No
streak of ego and the airs so familiar with many leaders touched him.
As I said earlier, he was a people’s man, identifying himself with the people’s
problems and always in their midst. Glancing through the papers every morning,
whenever he saw news of a struggle of confrontation with the establishment
going on, he would rush to the site, even without bothering to consult others.
Whether it be the betterment levy struggle in Punjab or other such struggles
anywhere in the country. His participation in such struggles are still recalled by
people in the concerned areas. Such was the pain and affection that he felt for
the people. This is a trait that is not visible today.
P Krishna Pillai, EMS Namboodiripad and A K Gopalan constituted the three pillars
of the Communist movement of Kerala. His pioneering role in the Guruvayur
temple entry movement; his transition from a Congressman to a Communist; his
championing of issues of social oppression etc. are all experiences that continue
to inspire even today.
AKG’s life is more than an inspiration. His life and work are a guide for future
generations. Simple living, unflinching dedication to the cause of the people, spirit
of self-sacrifice, always at the service of the people, — Comrade AKG stood wide
apart from the broad spectrum of politicians in the country. He will continue to be
adored and loved.