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{{short description|Indian independence activist (1909-1989)}} | {{short description|Indian independence activist (1909-1989)}} | ||
{{EngvarB|date=September | {{EngvarB|date=September 2022}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Accamma Cherian | | name = Accamma Cherian | ||
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| resting_place = | | resting_place = | ||
| resting_place_coordinates = | | resting_place_coordinates = | ||
| nationality = Indian | | nationality = Indian | ||
| other_names = | | other_names = | ||
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| employer = | | employer = | ||
| occupation = | | occupation = | ||
| title = | | title = | ||
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== Early life and education == | == Early life and education == | ||
She was born on 14 February 1909 in a [[ | She was born on 14 February 1909 in a [[Roman Catholic]] family (Karippaparambil) at [[Kanjirappally|Kanjirapally]], [[Travancore]], as the second daughter of Thomman Cherian and Annamma Karippaparambil. She was educated at Government Girls High School, Kanjirapally and St. Joseph's High School, [[Changanassery|Changanacherry]]. She earned a BA in History from [[St. Teresa's College]], [[Ernakulam]].{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
After completing her education in 1931, she worked as a teacher at St. Mary's English Medium School, edakkara), where she later became head mistress. She worked in this institution for about six years, and during this period she also did her L. T. degree from [[Thiruvananthapuram|Tri]] Training College. | After completing her education in 1931, she worked as a teacher at St. Mary's English Medium School, edakkara), where she later became head mistress. She worked in this institution for about six years, and during this period she also did her L. T. degree from [[Thiruvananthapuram|Tri]] Training College.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
== Freedom fighter == | == Freedom fighter == | ||
| Line 59: | Line 52: | ||
====Civil disobedience movement==== | ====Civil disobedience movement==== | ||
Under the State Congress, the people of Travancore started an agitation for a responsible government. [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer|C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar]], the [[Dewan|Dewan of Travancore]], decided to suppress the agitation. On 26 August 1938, he banned the State Congress which then organised a [[civil disobedice|civil disobedience movement]]. Prominent State Congress leaders including its President [[Pattom A. Thanu Pillai]] were arrested and put behind bars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/history&culture/emergence.htm|title=Emergence of nationalism|access-date=30 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911090438/http://www.kerala.gov.in/history%26culture/emergence.htm|archive-date=11 September 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The State Congress then decided to change its method of agitation. Its working committee was dissolved and the president was given dictatorial powers and the right to nominate his successor. Eleven 'dictators' (Presidents) of the State Congress were arrested one by one. Kuttanad Ramakrishna Pillai, the eleventh dictator, before his arrest nominated Accamma Cherian as the twelfth dictator. | Under the State Congress, the people of Travancore started an agitation for a responsible government. [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer|C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar]], the [[Dewan|Dewan of Travancore]], decided to suppress the agitation. On 26 August 1938, he banned the State Congress which then organised a [[civil disobedice|civil disobedience movement]]. Prominent State Congress leaders including its President [[Pattom A. Thanu Pillai]] were arrested and put behind bars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/history&culture/emergence.htm|title=Emergence of nationalism|access-date=30 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911090438/http://www.kerala.gov.in/history%26culture/emergence.htm|archive-date=11 September 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The State Congress then decided to change its method of agitation. Its working committee was dissolved and the president was given dictatorial powers and the right to nominate his successor. Eleven 'dictators' (Presidents) of the State Congress were arrested one by one. Kuttanad Ramakrishna Pillai, the eleventh dictator, before his arrest nominated Accamma Cherian as the twelfth dictator.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
====Rally to the Kowdiar Palace==== | ====Rally to the Kowdiar Palace==== | ||
| Line 67: | Line 60: | ||
===Formation of Desasevika Sangh=== | ===Formation of Desasevika Sangh=== | ||
In October 1938, the working committee of the State Congress directed Accamma Cherian to organise the Desasevika Sangh (Female Volunteer Group). She toured various centres and appealed to the women to join as members of the Desasevika Sangh. | In October 1938, the working committee of the State Congress directed Accamma Cherian to organise the Desasevika Sangh (Female Volunteer Group). She toured various centres and appealed to the women to join as members of the Desasevika Sangh.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
===Imprisonments=== | ===Imprisonments=== | ||
Accamma had been imprisoned twice during her struggle for independence. | Accamma had been imprisoned twice during her struggle for independence.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
====The Annual conference of the State Congress==== | ====The Annual conference of the State Congress==== | ||
The first annual conference of the State Congress was held at [[Vattiyoorkavu]] on 22 and 23 December 1932 in spite of the ban orders. Almost all leaders of the State Congress were arrested and imprisoned. Accamma, along with her sister [[Rosamma Punnose]] (also a freedom fighter, M.L.A., and a [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] leader from 1948), was arrested and jailed on 24 December 1939. They were sentenced to a year's imprisonment. They were insulted and threatened in the jail. Due to the instruction given by the jail authorities, some prisoners used abusing and vulgar words against them. This matter was brought to the notice of [[Mahatma Gandhi|M.K. Gandhi]] by [[Pattom A. Thanu Pillai]].<ref>{{cite book|author =Mahatma Gandhi|title=The Indian States Problem|publisher= Navajivan press|page=167}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author =V. B. Kher|title=Political and National Life and Affairs By Gandhi|publisher=Navajivan Pub. House|year=1967|pages=186, 322}}</ref> [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer]], however, denied it. Accamma's brother, K. C. Varkey Karippaparambil also took part in freedom movement. | The first annual conference of the State Congress was held at [[Vattiyoorkavu]] on 22 and 23 December 1932 in spite of the ban orders. Almost all leaders of the State Congress were arrested and imprisoned. Accamma, along with her sister [[Rosamma Punnose]] (also a freedom fighter, M.L.A., and a [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] leader from 1948), was arrested and jailed on 24 December 1939. They were sentenced to a year's imprisonment. They were insulted and threatened in the jail. Due to the instruction given by the jail authorities, some prisoners used abusing and vulgar words against them. This matter was brought to the notice of [[Mahatma Gandhi|M.K. Gandhi]] by [[Pattom A. Thanu Pillai]].<ref>{{cite book|author =Mahatma Gandhi|title=The Indian States Problem|publisher= Navajivan press|page=167}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author =V. B. Kher|title=Political and National Life and Affairs By Gandhi|publisher=Navajivan Pub. House|year=1967|pages=186, 322}}</ref> [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer]], however, denied it. Accamma's brother, K. C. Varkey Karippaparambil also took part in freedom movement.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
====Quit India Movement==== | ====Quit India Movement==== | ||
Accamma, after her release from jail, became a full-time worker of the State Congress. In 1942, she became its Acting President. In her presidential address, she welcomed the [[Quit India Resolution]] passed at the historic [[Bombay]] session of the [[Indian National Congress]] on 8 August 1942. She was arrested and awarded one year imprisonment. In 1946, she was arrested and imprisoned for six months for violating ban orders. In 1947, she was again arrested as she raised her voice against C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar's desire for an independent Travancore. | Accamma, after her release from jail, became a full-time worker of the State Congress. In 1942, she became its Acting President. In her presidential address, she welcomed the [[Quit India Resolution]] passed at the historic [[Bombay]] session of the [[Indian National Congress]] on 8 August 1942. She was arrested and awarded one year imprisonment. In 1946, she was arrested and imprisoned for six months for violating ban orders. In 1947, she was again arrested as she raised her voice against C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar's desire for an independent Travancore.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
== Life in Independent India == | == Life in Independent India == | ||
In 1947, after independence, Accamma was elected unopposed to the Travancore Legislative Assembly from Kanjirapally. In 1951, she married V.V. Varkey Mannamplackal, a freedom fighter and a member of [[Travancore-Cochin|Travancore Cochin]] Legislative Assembly. They had one son, George V. Varkey, an engineer. In the early 1950s, she resigned from the Congress Party after being denied a [[Lok Sabha]] ticket and in 1952, she unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election from [[Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)|Muvattupuzha constituency]] as an independent. In the early 1950s, when the parties ideologies were changing, she quit politics.<ref name=tehelka/> Her husband V. V. Varkey Mannamplackal, Chirakkadavu. served as an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in the [[Kerala Niyamasabha|Kerala Legislative Assembly]] from | In 1947, after independence, Accamma was elected unopposed to the Travancore Legislative Assembly from Kanjirapally. In 1951, she married V.V. Varkey Mannamplackal, a freedom fighter and a member of [[Travancore-Cochin|Travancore Cochin]] Legislative Assembly. They had one son, George V. Varkey, an engineer.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} In the early 1950s, she resigned from the Congress Party after being denied a [[Lok Sabha]] ticket and in 1952, she unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election from [[Muvattupuzha (Lok Sabha constituency)|Muvattupuzha constituency]] as an independent.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} In the early 1950s, when the parties ideologies were changing, she quit politics.<ref name=tehelka/> Her husband V. V. Varkey Mannamplackal, Chirakkadavu. served as an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] in the [[Kerala Niyamasabha|Kerala Legislative Assembly]] from 1952 to 1954. In 1967, she contested the Assembly election from Kanjirapally as a Congress candidate but was defeated by the Communist Party's candidate. Later, she served as a member of the Freedom Fighters' Pension Advisory Board.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} | ||
== Death and commemoration == | == Death and commemoration == | ||
Accamma Cherian died on 5 May 1982. A statue was erected in her memory in Vellayambalam, [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/15/stories/2006031525480300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213124341/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/15/stories/2006031525480300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2006|title=Road users at the receiving end|access-date=30 October 2008 | location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 March | Accamma Cherian died on 5 May 1982. A statue was erected in her memory in Vellayambalam, [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/15/stories/2006031525480300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213124341/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/15/stories/2006031525480300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2006|title=Road users at the receiving end|access-date=30 October 2008 | location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 March 2022}}</ref> | ||
A documentary film was made on her life by Sreebala K. Menon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/keracallaug04/p32.pdf|title='Remembering the eminent'|access-date=30 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181254/http://www.kerala.gov.in/keracallaug04/p32.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/news05/03oct05.htm |title=Docufest |access-date=30 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/03/stories/2005100306280400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123181850/http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/03/stories/2005100306280400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 November 2007|title='Docufest' to begin tomorrow|access-date=30 October 2008 | location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 October | A documentary film was made on her life by Sreebala K. Menon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/keracallaug04/p32.pdf|title='Remembering the eminent'|access-date=30 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181254/http://www.kerala.gov.in/keracallaug04/p32.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/news05/03oct05.htm |title=Docufest |access-date=30 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/03/stories/2005100306280400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123181850/http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/03/stories/2005100306280400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 November 2007|title='Docufest' to begin tomorrow|access-date=30 October 2008 | location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 October 2022}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 12:27, 3 December 2022
Accamma Cherian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 14 February 1909 |
| Died | 5 May 1982 Trivandrum, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Travancore State Congress |
| Spouse(s) | V. V. Varkey |
| Parent(s) | Thomman Cherian and Annamma |
Akkamma Cherian was an Indian independence activist[1][2] from Travancore (Kerala), India. She was popularly known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore.[3]
Early life and education
She was born on 14 February 1909 in a Roman Catholic family (Karippaparambil) at Kanjirapally, Travancore, as the second daughter of Thomman Cherian and Annamma Karippaparambil. She was educated at Government Girls High School, Kanjirapally and St. Joseph's High School, Changanacherry. She earned a BA in History from St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam.[citation needed]
After completing her education in 1931, she worked as a teacher at St. Mary's English Medium School, edakkara), where she later became head mistress. She worked in this institution for about six years, and during this period she also did her L. T. degree from Tri Training College.[citation needed]
Freedom fighter
In February 1938, the Travancore State Congress was formed and Accamma gave up her teaching career to join the struggle for liberty.[4][5]
Agitation for a responsible government
Civil disobedience movement
Under the State Congress, the people of Travancore started an agitation for a responsible government. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, the Dewan of Travancore, decided to suppress the agitation. On 26 August 1938, he banned the State Congress which then organised a civil disobedience movement. Prominent State Congress leaders including its President Pattom A. Thanu Pillai were arrested and put behind bars.[6] The State Congress then decided to change its method of agitation. Its working committee was dissolved and the president was given dictatorial powers and the right to nominate his successor. Eleven 'dictators' (Presidents) of the State Congress were arrested one by one. Kuttanad Ramakrishna Pillai, the eleventh dictator, before his arrest nominated Accamma Cherian as the twelfth dictator.[citation needed]
Rally to the Kowdiar Palace
Accamma Cherian led a mass rally from Thampanoor to the Kowdiar Palace of the Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma to revoke a ban on State Congress.[4] The agitating mob also demanded the dismissal of the Dewan, C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, against whom the State Congress leaders had levelled several charges. The British police chief ordered his men to fire on the rally of over 20,000 people . Accamma Cherian cried, "I am the leader; shoot me first before you kill others". Her courageous words forced the police authorities to withdraw their orders. On hearing the news M. K. Gandhi hailed her as 'The Jhansi Rani of Travancore'. She was arrested and convicted for violating prohibitory orders in 1939.[7]
Formation of Desasevika Sangh
In October 1938, the working committee of the State Congress directed Accamma Cherian to organise the Desasevika Sangh (Female Volunteer Group). She toured various centres and appealed to the women to join as members of the Desasevika Sangh.[citation needed]
Imprisonments
Accamma had been imprisoned twice during her struggle for independence.[citation needed]
The Annual conference of the State Congress
The first annual conference of the State Congress was held at Vattiyoorkavu on 22 and 23 December 1932 in spite of the ban orders. Almost all leaders of the State Congress were arrested and imprisoned. Accamma, along with her sister Rosamma Punnose (also a freedom fighter, M.L.A., and a CPI leader from 1948), was arrested and jailed on 24 December 1939. They were sentenced to a year's imprisonment. They were insulted and threatened in the jail. Due to the instruction given by the jail authorities, some prisoners used abusing and vulgar words against them. This matter was brought to the notice of M.K. Gandhi by Pattom A. Thanu Pillai.[8][9] C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, however, denied it. Accamma's brother, K. C. Varkey Karippaparambil also took part in freedom movement.[citation needed]
Quit India Movement
Accamma, after her release from jail, became a full-time worker of the State Congress. In 1942, she became its Acting President. In her presidential address, she welcomed the Quit India Resolution passed at the historic Bombay session of the Indian National Congress on 8 August 1942. She was arrested and awarded one year imprisonment. In 1946, she was arrested and imprisoned for six months for violating ban orders. In 1947, she was again arrested as she raised her voice against C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar's desire for an independent Travancore.[citation needed]
Life in Independent India
In 1947, after independence, Accamma was elected unopposed to the Travancore Legislative Assembly from Kanjirapally. In 1951, she married V.V. Varkey Mannamplackal, a freedom fighter and a member of Travancore Cochin Legislative Assembly. They had one son, George V. Varkey, an engineer.[citation needed] In the early 1950s, she resigned from the Congress Party after being denied a Lok Sabha ticket and in 1952, she unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election from Muvattupuzha constituency as an independent.[citation needed] In the early 1950s, when the parties ideologies were changing, she quit politics.[4] Her husband V. V. Varkey Mannamplackal, Chirakkadavu. served as an MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1954. In 1967, she contested the Assembly election from Kanjirapally as a Congress candidate but was defeated by the Communist Party's candidate. Later, she served as a member of the Freedom Fighters' Pension Advisory Board.[citation needed]
Death and commemoration
Accamma Cherian died on 5 May 1982. A statue was erected in her memory in Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram.[10] A documentary film was made on her life by Sreebala K. Menon.[11][12][13]
References
- ↑ "ROLE OF WOMEN IN KERALA POLITICS REFORMS AMENDMENT ACT 1969 A STUDY IN SOCIAL CHANGE". Journal of Kerala Studies. University of Kerala. 1985. p. 21.
- ↑ K. Karunakaran Nair, ed. (1975). Who is who of Freedom Fighters in Kerala. K. Karunakaran Nair. p. 89.
- ↑ "Status of Kerala Women". Archived from the original on 26 October 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Paul Zacharia (20 January 2007). "When friends become statues". tehelka.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
- ↑ The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. 1977. pp. 413, 503.
- ↑ "Emergence of nationalism". Archived from the original on 11 September 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ↑ Naveen Joshi (1997). Freedom Fighters Remember. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-230-0575-1.
- ↑ Mahatma Gandhi. The Indian States Problem. Navajivan press. p. 167.
- ↑ V. B. Kher (1967). Political and National Life and Affairs By Gandhi. Navajivan Pub. House. pp. 186, 322.
- ↑ "Road users at the receiving end". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ↑ "'Remembering the eminent'" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ↑ "Docufest". Retrieved 30 October 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "'Docufest' to begin tomorrow". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 3 October 2022. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2008.