K. A. Subramaniam

K. A. Subramaniam (5 March 1931 – 27 November 1989) was a Sri Lankan leftist political activist.[1] He was one of the key member for the formation of the Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist).[2][3] He was the founding General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka (Left) [4] [5]

K. A. Subramaniam
கே. ஏ. சுப்பிரமணியம்
Co-founder of Communist Party of Sri Lanka (Left)
Personal details
Born(1931-03-05)5 March 1931
Kollankaladdy, Sri Lanka
Died27 November 1989(1989-11-27) (aged 58)
Kandy, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partyCeylon Communist Party (Maoist)
Ceylon Communist Party
Spouse(s)Valliammai
OccupationCommunist

Early life and family

Kollankaladdy Ambalapillai Subramaniam was born as fourth child in an orthodox farming family in Kollankaladdy near Tellippalai. His elder sister sent him to study at Saint Joseph's College, Colombo. She made him aware of Bharathiyar and Periyar. Later Subramaniam studied at the St.Henry’s College, Ilavalai. He joined the KKS Cement Factory as an apprentice Engineer and came to know a Communist worker in the factory. He participated in Trade Union activities with the workers and was dismissed from the factory. While being a full time worker for the Ceylon Communist Party, he made a love marriage with a writer Valliammai in January 1962 against the caste barriers. Their son Sathiarajan alias Meeran Master was arrested by Sri Lanka Army in December 1984 for being one of the prominent leader in the PLOTE and released after the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. Later he died in an accident in August 2001.[6][7][8] [9][10][11][12]

Ceylon Communist Party

In 1950s, he was assisting V. Ponnambalam as directed by the veteran leaders M. Karthikeyan and Pon Kandiah. He successfully organized many branches of the Ceylon Communist Party's youth wing in Jaffna.[13][14]

He worked hard for the success of the famous Youth Conference held on 10 March 1963 at the old Jaffna Town Hall, which was a major turning point in the history of the Ceylon Communist Party. It is noteworthy that he formed youth associations in the villages of the North and led hundreds of young people to attend the conference on behalf of the villages, and provided guidance to many of the youth who later participated in the conference to evolve into responsible communists. Various leaders including Pieter Keuneman , Sarath Muttetuwegama and W.A. Dharmadasa, who were prominent Sinhalese leaders of the Communist Party, attended the Youth Union Conference. At that conference Subramaniam was unanimously elected as the Northern Secretary of the Youth Organization.[7][15]

In June 1963, D. B. Alwis and Subramaniam were sent to China by Ceylon Communist Party to represent the Ceylonese Federation of Communist and Progressive Youth Leagues and they signed agreement with All-China Youth Federation, on further consolidating and developing the relations of friendship, unity and cooperation between the two organizations. At that time D.B. Alwis was member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee ; and K.A. Subramaniam was member of the Central Committee of the Ceylon Federation of Communist and Progressive Youth Leagues. [16][17]

Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist)

From 1964, while being one of the leading members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, he played major role in the struggle against wrong ideas and practices both within and outside the Party. He joined with other sincere Communists in the Party to oppose those who spouted revolutionary textbook slogans while, in practice, they possessed a bourgeois parliamentary outlook. In these struggles, he adopted a balanced, ideological stand. At the same time he stressed that as the Party was the Party of the oppressed classes, it should launch mass struggles centered on their most pressing problems. He took the lead in getting resolutions to this effect passed in the Party. These resulted in the mass upsurge on 21st October 1966 at Chunnakam. He led the upsurge and was one of those principally responsible for guiding and taking forward the struggles.[18] Following the October 1966 uprising, members of mass organizations involved in protests for equality in tea shops were arrested on false charges and detained in prisons.[19] Many people were detained under the provisions of serious condition. In order to inform the people of the south, and other progressive movements on the critical situation of the struggles, Communist Party arranged for the site viewing. Chief among them is Gampaha constituency MP S. D. Bandaranayake. Subramaniam also showed him directly the villages affected by the northern struggle and the barricades that had been erected around the temples and wells, which had been locked for fear that the oppressed people would enter.[20] [7][15][21]

In May 1969, the then government banned the celebration of May Day on May 1, as May Day and Poya Day coincided. In this context, the Communist Party was determined to celebrate May Day and to fight against any form of repression by the government and to assert the rights of the working class. It also called for it. In response to the party's call, the working class also held a May Day rally in Jaffna. Subramaniam led the May Day procession on behalf of the Communist Party. As the procession was moving along the Jaffna-KKS road, a large number of policemen gathered and attacked the rally. Subramaniam's fingers and shoulder were crushed in the attack, causing multiple fractures to the shoulder bone and the bones of the legs. Veeru Maraikkayar and Madduvil S. Natarasa tried to prevent the attack on Subramaniam, then three of them were treated at the hospital for a long time. Due to the serious nature of these injuries N. Shanmugathasan made Subramaniam stay in his Colombo house for treatment. Comrade Kanzur, who accompanied all the way to assist him on the daily activities should be remembered at this time. [15][22][23][7]

Communist Party of Sri Lanka (Left)

From 1965, when several hundreds of members and carders who had joined the Party because it was a revolutionary Party became dissatisfied with the Party leadership and began to quit the Party and became isolated individuals or joined other parties. Subramaniam joined the others who decided to stay in the Party and were confident that they could build up the Party anew, on the correct lines.[15][24][25][26][27]

Samal De Silva and the others who continued to stay in the Party which had N. Sanmugathasan as its General Secretary, were forced to change their position in 1978, at a special Party Conference which was summoned in the middle of 1978, though a full report incorporating correct ideological, political and organisational standpoints was presented under the leadership of Subramaniam and debated, the report was not accepted and arbitrary decisions were taken. In this background, Party members who had assembled from various parts of Sri Lanka decided to form a separate party. He accepted the proposal with much reluctance and came forward to implement it resolutely.[28][15][4]

On 3 July 1978 a Conference of Party members was held. At that Conference it was resolved that the new party should be named Communist Party of Sri Lanka (Left), and till a Party Congress was held, and an interim Organising Committee was chosen by the Conference, he was elected Secretary of the Committee. Subramaniam deployed all his skills to build up the Party as a strong organisation and to make it take root among the working people.[15][4] [5]

Works

This is a partial list of articles and publications written by Subramaniam.

Anniversaries

His 13th Commemorative Anniversary was organised by the K. A. Subramaniam Memorial Committee, held in the Ramakrishna Mission Hall, Colombo on 22 December 2002. The K. A. Subramaniam Memorial Lecture entitled ‘Future Prospects for the Current Peace Process’ was delivered by Tone Marie Buberg of the APK Workers Communist Party of Norway. Professor S Sivasegaram chaired the meeting.[15][37]

His 25th Death Anniversary was held on 29 November 2014 at the Auditorium of the Colombo Tamil Sangam, chaired by Professor S. Sivasegaram and inaugurated by Lawyer S Thevarajah. The Commemoration Lecture titled “Irreconcilability of Reconciliation. Reconciliation after War: Thinking beyond Solitude” delivered by Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda. Subramaniam's wife Valliammai, received the first copy of the book written by S. K. Senthivel, Memories of Comrade Maniam in Tamil. The President of National College of Education Batticaloa Siva Rajendran reviewed the book.[38][39]

Tributes

Her Excellency Sirimavo Bandaranaike former Prime minister said that "he has rendered great service to the cause of the left movement in Sri Lanka. His aim was to bring about unity and understanding among all races living in Sri Lanka. I must especially mention the fact that he gave me his full support to organise my Presidential election campaign in the North in spite of the fact that he was not in the best of health."[40]

Justice Hon. Tellipalai Rajaratnam said that "At the early stages of my practice as an Advocate and thereafter, Subramaniam had me retained in the most difficult cases filed against Workers and Trade Unionists. It was at a time when the Workers and Trade Unionists were harassed both by the State and Society. Subramaniam was, however, an inspiring leader and we hardly lost a single case. The last case appeared for him was a Caste case at Chavakachcheri (Madduvil Panriththalaichchi Amman Hindu Temple) connected with the Temple Entry. The High Class Tamils were out to poison the wells and the police were helping them to prevent the depressed classes from going into the Temple yard. The depressed classes organised themselves and restrained the police from doing this foul act. They even assaulted the police. It was a sensational case and the high class interests were demonstrating outside Court. We won the case. Subramaniam as a true leader had prepared the case so well in-spite of all the disadvantages in the Caste ridden area."[40]

Hon. S. D. Bandaranayake former MP said about him that "I had the privilege of knowing, Comrade K. A. Subramaniam the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka communist party (left) a man whose selfless dedication to the betterment of man , for which he had devoted all his life. Subramaniam was a great man whom I had known closely. It would be appropriate to state that his struggle for National Unity in Sri Lanka was always upper - most in all his work.[40]

Hon. Mohamed Haleem Ishak MP said about Subramaniam that "Being an enlightened and exemplary communist he was basically a genuine patriot and true friend all down - trodden people. He was a leading progressive personage well known among all who were fighting for a common cause. His political outlook had always surpassed those of most other Tamil leaders. He had a wider perspective of the struggle of the people of Sri Lanka. The urgent priority was to achieve national emancipation of the people. Community and even class interest however much they figured high in the political agenda had to take secondary place for such struggle to be triumphant. It was with this view in mind that he at the last Presidential election openly and vigorously supported the candidature of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike the nominee of the S. L. F. P. the party that he correctly adjudged to be possessing potentiality over all other parties to defeat anti people manoeuvres of reactionary forces."[40]

All Ceylon Tamil Congress President Kumar Ponnambalam said that "K. A. Subramaniam's position in the 1988 presidential election is a good example of how he worked not only for irrespective of their caste and religion but also for against their ethnic and regional differences. Despite the fact of the threat to hold public meetings in the Northern Province, he fearlessly organized and led a massive campaign rally for Sirimavo Bandaranaike, even at the risk of his own life and that of his family."[40]

Professor K. Kailasapathy's wife Madam Sarvamangalam said that "Around 1975, my husband Kailasapathy introduced us to his close friend Mr. K.A. Subramaniam. For the first time we were all impressed by his simple appearance and off-putting nature. He had then come barefoot. "Uncle has come to this awning barefoot," said our children. He would then put on sandals because of their love nagging. This is a small example of his simplicity. Kailasapathy and Mr. Subramaniam were the contemporary political comrades with two years apart. The two have been in agreement on national and international political affairs until the end. In that sense, it was possible to see mutual understanding and mutual respect. He was not only a communist in speech but also proved it in his life and actions. He did not leave us great political philosophical works. But he has left a practical way of life and rich struggle experiences. There is no doubt that his life will be a great guide for every communist." [40]

Professor S Sivasegaram said that "Subramaniam was among the few leaders of the movement against caste oppression in the North who acted to ensure that the struggle was directed against the handful of oppressors and not allowed to develop into a caste war. This clarity of vision was again evident in the line taken by the CPSL (left) on the national question, where the CPSL (left) backed the struggle for liberation while firmly rejecting separatism as the only solution. He always believed in uniting all progressive forces against the oppressors and rejected sectarianism. His ability to mobilise progressive forces with political differences was demonstrated on several occasions and particularly in the highly successful election rally in support of the S. L. F. P candidate at the last Presidential election, organized by the CPSL (left) in the North. He never believed in taking advantage of individuals or organisations or using others to achieve his ends. To him politics was a matter of unity and struggle, both principled. His death has robbed the Tamil community and the progressive forces of Sri Lanka of a sincere, humble and honest revolutionary political leader."[40]

A commemorative poem in tribute to Subramaniam was read out as funeral oration by his classmate at St. Henry’s College, Ilavalai Sillaiyoor Selvarajan a close friend and a leading Sri Lankan Tamil poet. This poem is relating Subramaniam with ambrosia and recalling his contribution to 1953 Ceylonese Hartal.[41]

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References
  1. "Kollankaladdy Ambalapillai Subramaniam".
  2. Peking Review, Issue 50 dated 13 December 1963
  3. Marxists.org. To All Marxist-Leninists Inside the Ceylon Communist Party
  4. "The New-Democratic Marxist-Leninist Party in its 35th Year" (PDF).
  5. "NDMLP 40th Anniversary Seminar and Meeting".
  6. Meetings in life by Valliammai
  7. "Mr. K. Suppiah wrote in Sooddram in 2012".
  8. From Sathiamanai Book about KAS
  9. Meeran Master PLOTE
  10. From Telo News 23rd Anniversary about KAS in 2012
  11. From SOODDRAM Memory of Meeran Master
  12. Tamil Circle From PLOTE to Spark - Part 20
  13. "About 1950s from 'Ponmalar' 1994 Pages 62 and 96".
  14. "Northern Field Movement and Comrade Karthikeyan". Pages 51,53,62 and 67 by S.K. Senthivel. 2003.
  15. "Comrade Maniyam Memories by S.K. Senthivel 2014".
  16. "Agreement with All-China Youth Federation 1963". from CIA report
  17. "Joint Statement with photo on Page 4" (PDF). The Worker ( Tholilai) from Sri Lanka. 23 November 1963.
  18. "Meeting held on 25 November 1966" (PDF). Eelanadu Page1. 27 November 1966.
  19. "Conference held to explore and redress caste oppression". DailyFT By Thulasi Muttulingam. 22 October 2016.
  20. "View from India on the struggles in Sri Lanka".
  21. "Caste oppression has a long and convoluted history in Jaffna". Sinhalanet By Thulasi Muttulingam. 19 May 2020.
  22. "Banned May Day procession held on 1st May 1969". Thinapathy தினபதி. 3 May 1969.
  23. "Mr.LENIN MATHIVANAM wrote in INIORU in 2012".
  24. Asian Analysis. 1972. p. 46.
  25. "W. A. Dharmadasa".
  26. "A Lost Revolution: The JVP Insurrection 1971". LankaLibrary.
  27. "Peradiga Sulanga team led by Gamini Yapa".
  28. "Statement by Samal De Silva and K.A. Subramaniam 1978".
  29. "An incident in China". 'Tholilali' from Sri Lanka. Page 4. 1 October 1963.
  30. "Colonial system is collapsing" (PDF). 'Tholilali' from Sri Lanka. Page 2. 9 May 1964.
  31. "The struggle is the way for liberation" (PDF). 'Tholilali' from Sri Lanka. Page 6. 16 May 1964.
  32. "Socialism and the working class. Compromise of left-wing leaders" (PDF). 'Tholilali' from Sri Lanka. Page 4. 20 June 1964.
  33. "The Tamil people need a new path" (PDF). 'Tholilali' from Sri Lanka. Page 3. 19 January 1971.
  34. "The Editorial for Art and Literary" (PDF). 'Thayagam' from Sri Lanka. Page 1. 1 April 1974.
  35. "The lesson of Cuba for Third World Countries". 'Red Banner' from Sri Lanka. Page 4. 1 December 1980.
  36. "Victory belongs to the Kampuchean People". 'Red Banner' from Sri Lanka. Page 10. 1 December 1980.
  37. "13th Commemorative Anniversary". 'Puthiya Poomi' from Sri Lanka. Photo on Page 1. January 2003.
  38. "25th Death Anniversary from Dentisty on Page 6".
  39. "25th Anniversary Invitation".
  40. "Commemoration Volume".
  41. "Poem by Sillaiyoor Selvarajan" (PDF).
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