K E Mammen, a good friend of mine since college days, was a one-man army who stood for upholding Gandhian principles. In public life, he was the lone voice of Gandhian ideals and always fought for upholding the principles.
While I was studying in Science College and Mammen at the Arts College, freedom struggle was at its peak and students used to hold protest marches and meetings. We used to meet on such occasions and our friendship grew. It was really the love for Independence that brought us together.
Mammen’s active participation in the freedom struggle led the authorities to oust him from college. He had led a crusade against Diwan C P Ramaswamy Iyer who was instrumental in the downfall of the Quilon National Bank in which his father was involved. After he was ousted from the college, he went to Madras and joined a college there. In Madras too, he fought against the British.
When in Madras, we did not have much contact. But after coming back to Kerala, we rebuilt our friendship. Mammen, who always stood for Gandhian values, continued to fight to keep up principles even after Independence. He walked alone and questioned anyone, irrespective of political parties, who acted against Gandhian principles. Whenever there was an agitation in front of the Secretariat, he used to be there with a picture of Gandhiji in his hand. If he was against the agitation, he would tell them it was not the way to protest.
A straightforward person, he made it clear to all that no one understood Gandhi and everyone abandoned him. He used to come to the office of the Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, in which I was the president. During his visits, he used to tell us our work was not enough and have to do more. He was always a lone crusader who walked with Gandhiji and upheld his values all through his life.
(The writer is veteran freedom fighter and Gandhian Philosopher)
K E Mammen now a soothing memory
T’Puram: Freedom fighter and Gandhian K E Mammen, 97, passed away here on Wednesday. The end came at a private hospital at Neyyattinkara where he had been admitted since November 2013.
He was shifted to the ICU on Monday as his health worsened. As his blood pressure dipped and he started experiencing breathing problems he was put on ventilator support.
A bachelor, Mammen declared his intention to stay in the hospital till death since being admitted. A one-man army, he took up battles on issues of public interest in front of the Secretariat. His lonely fights were powered by moral strength as he followed the values imbibed from the time of freedom struggle.
His fights against liquor, violent politics, hartals and corruption always forced the political leadership in power to urgently intervene to get the issues solved.
Born to K C Eapen and Kunjandamma of the prominent Orthodox Christian family Kandathil, in Kottayam on July 31, 1921, he had evinced keen interest in freedom struggle since his childhood. Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyers’ action against Quilon National Bank led to his father’s imprisonment as he was one of the owners.
While studying in Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, he became the president of Travancore Students Federation. Following the attack on Sir CP by K C S Mani, Mammen was also arrested. His activities during student days prompted the authorities to oust him from college. He later joined St Thomas College, Thrissur, and Madras Christian College, only to discontinue education in 1942 to get active in the Quit India Movement. After returning to Kerala, his base was Kottayam and Tiruvalla. In 1996 he returned to Thiruvananthapuram and stayed there till the end. He has won the Ramashram Award, Lohia Vicharavedi Award, TKV Foundation Award and the Kottayam YMCA Award.
The body of Mammen was brought to the house of his nephew Varghese Oommen at Kunnukuzhy here. It will be placed there for public homage till 3 pm on Thursday. It will then be taken to Santhikavadam for last rites as per his wish. He will be creamated with state honours.
Mourning his demise, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Mammen upheld Gandhian values and was always in the forefront to solve issues of public interest, he said.
