Mukundan C. Menon

Who was Mukundan C. Menon?

Mukundan C. Menon was one of the most prominent human-rights activists in India. He was a leading human rights activist for over 35 years and helped to found a number of India's national non-governmental human rights organizations including PUCL and National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations in Kerala. He was a relentless advocate for securing the freedom of those struggling for their dignity and basic human rights. He was also the Secretary General of CHRO until his death.

He was working in Delhi during the 1970s as a journalist, and was actively involved in human- rights activities. During the 1990s, he settled in Kerala. However, he didn't stop his activism. He pursued journalism with Thejas Fortnightly, and ultimately became an editorial consultant and the Resident Editor of Thejas Daily.

He was a regular contributor to The Milli Gazette also.Dr.Zafarul Islam Khan, editor of The Milli Gazette upon learning of Menon's death, said, "We are shocked to know of the untimely demise of our friend Mr. Mukundan C. Menon. He was a great fighter for human and civil rights in this country". He died on 12 Dec, 2005.

He would be best remembered for the role he played as a free media journalist. Menon who wrote against hindutva fascism have been accused of being terrorist sympathizer by sangh parivar dominated media. He was jailed during the infamous emergency period. As a human rights activist, Menon presented the cases of numerous political prisoners and sought justice in many high-profile cases including of Abdul Nasar Maudani. He vigorously condemned the responsibility of the security forces in human rights violations and the high level of impunity which benefits those responsible for human rights violations.