K. P. R. Gopalan (1906 – 5 August 1997), popularly known as KPR was an Indian politician and militant Naxalite communist leader from

Kalliasseri Kalliasseri is a census town in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. Kalliaseri Panchayat comprises two villages: Kalliasseri and Irinave. Demographics As of 2011 Census, Kalliasseri had a population of 31,122 of which males const ...

, 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 enter World War II. 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. Narayanan Nayanar, the elder brother of

E. K. Nayanar Erambala Krishnan Nayanar (9 December 191919 May 2004) was an Indian Communist politician of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M). He served three terms as the Chief Minister of Kerala (1980–1981, 1987–1991 and 1996–2001) for ...

, former Kerala Chief Minister for 11 years. The court sentenced all of them to imprisonment and later on appeal, Madras High 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 newspaper wrote an editorial demanding that his death sentence be commuted. Gandhiji was 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. Eminent Communist leader

P. Krishna Pillai P. Krishna Pillai (19 August 1906 at Vaikom, Kottayam District, Kottayam – 19 August 1948 at Muhamma, Alappuzha District, Alleppey) was a Communism, communist revolutionary from Kerala, India. He was one of the founding leaders of the Co ...

wrote an article hailing Gopalan entitled "The Bolshevik Hero of Kerala". Gopalan died of natural causes on 5 August 1997, aged 91. His niece K. P. Sarada was married to E. K. Nayanar.

References

Communist Party of India (Marxist) politicians from Kerala 1997 deaths Malayali politicians People from Kannur district Indian independence activists from Kerala 1906 births Kerala MLAs 1957–1959 Kerala MLAs 1967–1970 {{Kerala-politician-stub