Kandoth Assault
Kondoth assault is a place in Kannur where there was a clash in 1930 over temple entry.[1] The lower castes were not allowed to walk in front of the Kondoth temple of the Thiyya castes at Kondoth in Kannur. A.K. Gopalan then led a procession to grieve the Harijans and the Thiyyar leaders and the Thiyyar women who witnessed this brutally beat A.K. Gopalan and the Harijans.[2][3][4][5]
History
There is a place called Kandoth near Payyannoor. There is a public road there. But Harijans were not allowed to walk on that road. The inhabitants of Kandoth were of the Thiyyar community.[3][2] Their temple was close to the road. It was because of fear of pollution of the temple that no one was allowed to walk that way. Anyway, in order that nothing untoward should occur, it was decided to discuss the problem with some of the leaders of the locality. K. V. Kunhi Rama Puthuval was sent to Vengayil Appukuttan Nair.[3][2][5][6]
The Keraliyan of Kandoth were also invited. This day no one knows what happened in these discussions. Pothuval said that there would be a procession and no untoward incident would take place. A small group of Harijans led by Keralites had arrived from Pazhayangadi. Many marched together.[3][2] Keralites and A.K. Gopalan led the procession, which was attended by many women. Residents knew about the procession. So they made the necessary arrangements in advance. As the procession approached the road, a large crowd of people, both old and young, men and women, rushed forward and began beating A.K. Gopalan and Harijans.[3] The women carried heavy trunks. The Keralite and A.K. Gopalan stood where we were and faced the barrage. The others ran away and escaped. A.K. Gopalan asked the accompanying women to run to safety. The attack lasted about half an hour.[3]
The "Connaught Short Stick" was infamous. Several people were injured. The Keralite and A.K. Gopalan fell unconscious. They were taken to the hospital by car.[3] There we lay unconscious for hours. Even the death statement of the Keralite was taken. Taken home the next morning. This was the first physical assault I ever encountered in my political career. But he was pleased to find a prominent place in the news coverage of the "Connaught Attack".[3] It was the best propaganda of the Guruvayur temple entry satyagraha. The incident opened the eyes of the people. District board officials visited the spot and inspected it. They set up a board saying everyone has the right to use the road. Police have filed a chargesheet against several people and registered a case against them.[3] [2]
Reference
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- ↑ Balakrishnan, E. (1998). "History of the Communist Movement in Kerala".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12786/page/n36/mode/1up?view=theater
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 A.M Abraham Ayirukuzhiel (1987). Swami Anand Thirth: Untouchability, Gandhian Solution on Trial. p. 32. Search this book on
- ↑ Gopalan, Avilliath Kutteri; Ke Gopālan, E. (1973). "In the Cause of the People: Reminiscences".
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ullekh, N. P. (19 June 2018). Kannur: Inside India's Bloodiest Revenge Politics. ISBN 9789353051051. Search this book on
- ↑ Velacherry, Joseph (1993). Social Impact of Mass Media in Kerala. ISBN 9788172140649. Search this book on
