Question

Which among the following statements about labour movements in Kerala is/are correct? i Thozhilali was the official journal of the Travancore Labour Association. ii. Arya Pallam was a part of the strike organised by the Travancore Coir Factory Workers Union in 1938. iii K.C. George was the first President of the Travancore Communist Party. iv. T.K. Varghese Vaidyan was one of the important leaders of the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt

• A. Only i & ii
• B. Only ii & iv
• C. All of the above
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

C. All of the above

Labour Movements in Kerala: Key Insights

• Travancore Labour Association and 'Thozhilali' Journal

  • The Travancore Labour Association (TLA), established in 1922 in Alappuzha (Alleppey), was one of the earliest and most influential labour organizations in Kerala.
  • It was later renamed the Travancore Coir Factory Workers Union in 1938, marking a significant shift in its structure and focus.
  • The official journal of the Travancore Labour Association was indeed 'Thozhilali', which played a crucial role in disseminating information, uniting workers, and articulating their demands.
  • The TLA was instrumental in organizing workers, particularly in the coir industry, and advocating for their rights against exploitative practices.

• Arya Pallam and the 1938 Coir Factory Workers Strike

  • Arya Pallam (1908-1991) was a prominent social reformer, women's rights activist, and freedom fighter from Kerala.
  • She was actively involved in various social and political movements, including the struggle for responsible government in Travancore and the abolition of untouchability.
  • Arya Pallam participated in the historic 1938 strike organized by the Travancore Coir Factory Workers Union. This strike was a significant event in the history of labour movements in Travancore, demonstrating the growing strength and organization of the working class.
  • Her involvement highlights the broader connection between social reform movements and labour struggles in the region.

• Formation of the Communist Party in Travancore

  • The Communist Party of India (CPI) was formally constituted in Kerala at a secret meeting held at Pinarayi, Thalassery, in 1939.
  • Prominent leaders like P. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, and K. Damodaran were key figures in its formation.
  • K.C. George was indeed a prominent figure in the early Communist movement in Travancore. He served as the first President of the Travancore Communist Party unit (specifically, the Travancore State Committee of the Communist Party of India) formed after its clandestine launch in 1939.
  • P. Krishna Pillai is often referred to as the first Secretary of the Kerala unit of the Communist Party.
  • The party emerged from the left-wing faction of the Indian National Congress and the Travancore State Congress, advocating for radical social and economic reforms.

• Punnapra-Vayalar Revolt (1946)

  • The Punnapra-Vayalar revolt was a significant armed uprising of the working class against the Diwan's administration in the Kingdom of Travancore in October 1946.
  • The revolt primarily involved agricultural labourers and coir factory workers in the Alappuzha district.
  • Key demands included responsible government, abolition of the 'American Model' of independent Travancore, and better working conditions.
  • T.K. Varghese Vaidyan was one of the prominent and influential leaders of this historic revolt. His leadership, along with others like C.K. Velayudhan, played a crucial role in mobilizing workers and directing the agitation.
  • The revolt was brutally suppressed by the Travancore State Police and military, resulting in numerous casualties, but it left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Kerala, accelerating the movement for responsible government and the integration of Travancore into the Indian Union.