K. P. R. Gopalan

Who was K. P. R. Gopalan?

K. P. R. Gopalan, popularly known as KPR was a politician and militant Naxalite communist leader from Kalliasseri, Kerala. Once a member of the Kerala State Assembly, he lost his seat in the general election of 1 February 1960. He was subsequently re-elected. While a member, he led a failed attempt at armed revolt in the Cannanore area in November 1968. At one point he was sentenced to death by the colonial authorities.

Gopalan was one of the founding members of the Communist Party in Kerala in 1940. He, in cooperation with the KPCC, was the main organizer of Morozha protest on 15 September 1940 against the British decision to enterWorld War Two. The protest became violent when police tried to suppress it. One Sub-Inspector and a Constable died in the clash with the mob, mainly constituted of farmers, agricultural labourers, and other trade union workers.

The police caught all prominent leaders, including Gopalan and E.K. Narayanan Nayanar, the brother of E.K. Nayanar, former Kerala Chief Minister for 11 years. The court sentenced all of them for imprisonment and later on appeal, Madras Hih Court sentenced Gopalan to death. He was sent to Bellary Jail. The verdict attracted wide protest across Kerala and India. Kerala observed a day honoring K.P.R Gopalan and Mathrubhumi, the leading news paper wrote an editorial demanding that his death sentence be commuted. Gandhiji also involved and said it is not acceptable. British communist party protested and the case even received the attention of the British Parliament. Due to this mass protest, the British Government finally reduced the punishment from hanging to life imprisonment. Later, he was released when Congress Interim Government took power in Madras state. Fellow Naxalite P. Krishna Pilla wrote an article hailing Gopalan entitled "The Bolshevik Hero of Kerala". Gopalan died of natural causes on August 6, 1997.