R. Sugathan

R. Sugathan, (23 December 1901 – 14 February 1970), popularly known as Sugathansir, was an Indian Communist leader and an early trade unionist of Kerala. He was elected to the Travancore-Cochin Assembly in 1952 (Alleppey) & 1954 from Maraikkulam (Mararikulam),[1] followed by first Kerala Legislative Assembly elections in 1957 from Karthigapally (Karthikappally) in present Alappuzha district, and second assembly also from Karthikappally as a CPI member,.[2]

R. Sugathan
Member of Travancore-Cochin Assembly
In office
1952, 1954
Kerala Legislative Assembly
In office
1957-59, 1960-64
ConstituencyKarthigapally
Personal details
Born1901
Kerala
Died14 February 1970
Kerala
NationalityIndian
Political partyCommunist Party of India (CPI)
Occupationteacher, trade unionist, politician

Early life and education

Born R. Shreedharan in Kerala. After passing his Malayalam Middle school he came under influence of Buddhist doctrine and soon changed his name to R. Sugathan.

Career

He was an active member of the Sahodara Sangham (The Brotherhood Movement), later he left his teaching job at a private school to join SNDP Yogam, where he worked hard to eliminate caste as an institution, and also SNDP's political wing, Ezhava Political League, and when Congress came into existence in the state he became its part. In 1938, he organized coir factory workers into union and was arrested for agitating, and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment.

Later, he became involved with the Travancore Labour Association and finally he left Congress joined the Communist Party in 1942, he was imprisoned twice again in the following years.[3]

Legacy

In 2008, his death anniversary on 14 February was observed as 'flag day' by Communist Party of India (CPI) at its State conference at Thiruvananthapuram[4]

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References
  1. Interim Election to the Travancore-Cochin Assembly – 1954 Archived 6 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Government of Kerala website.
  2. ELECTIONS TO THE FIRST KERALA ASSEMBLY-1957 Archived 15 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Government of Kerala website.
  3. Sadasivan, S. N. (2000). A Social History of India. APH Publishing. p. 668. ISBN 81-7648-170-X.
  4. "CPI to mark 'flag day'". The Hindu. 12 February 2008.

Further reading
  • Immortal heroes: lives of Communist leaders, by Communist Party of India. Pub. Communist Party of India, 1975. p. 156.
  • Sakhavu R. Sugathan (Comrade R. Sugathan) by Raghavan Puthupally. Kottayam: Current Books, 1999.


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