Mathai Manjooran

Mathai Manjooran Biography

Mathai Manjooran was an Indian independence activist and socialist revolutionary from Kerala. He was the Minister of Labour (economics) in the second E.M.S. Namboodiripad communist ministry and has played a significant role in the formation of Kerala state. He has also been elected to Indian parliament.

Mathai was born as the second son of Mathew Manjooran and Elishua on October 13, 1912 at Chakkarakadavu of Ernakulam. Nathai was led to active politics by his elder brother Cherian Manjooran. He has been active in Indian freedom struggle movement in Kerala and became a part of Quit India Movement in 1942. He has also involved in activists’ movements like attempt to damage and obstruct several strategic railway bridges in the Malabar region to disable the military movements across the area. Kizhaariyoor bomb case was the result of one of such attempts. After Indian independence, he became more active in politics and got involved with political liberation movements in Kerala such as the Vimochana Samaram.

The Kerala Socialist Party (KSP) that came into being under his leadership in 1947. As Minister of Labor, he has exhibited his administrative powers in full swing. He also showed his real talents as a member of Rajya Sabha during the period, 1952–54. Mathai spoke vehemently for Federalism during the time when hot discussions were going on about what mode of government is to be adopted for governing post-independent India. He actively put ideas in the formation of Kerala state. He put his efforts several times. His final effort for the formation of Kerala State was when he was a sitting member of the Council of State during 1952-1954.

Mathai is also known as a journalist and author. He started two newspapers from Ernakulam - Light of Kerala and Keralaprakasham. His book Prakashathilakku is a collection of philosophical works on Western Philosophy. He died on 14 January 1970.

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Updated: March 20, 2014