Spirit of Struggle in Tamil Land

Kalpetta: Between 1970 and 1972, an intense agitation was launched under the leadership of the CPI M in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu against the eviction of settlers. Huts inhabited by farmers and workers were set ablaze by the police. The poor were left homeless, with no place to go. As the resistance began to weaken, A K Gopalan (AKG) and V S Achuthanandan (VS) arrived in Gudalur in the Nilgiris. The epicenter of the anti-eviction struggle was Kuttimoochi. With the arrival of the leaders, the movement reignited. Those who had withdrawn rejoined the struggle with renewed vigor. K Chathunni Master, M V Raghavan, and C P Moosankutty were also present.

The agitation spread across Tamil Nadu. Faced with growing protest, the eviction process in the Nilgiris was halted. Eventually, the Karunanidhi government granted land titles (pattayams) to around 18,000 people in the district.

Years later, Tamil land once again witnessed the flames of a CPI M-led struggle under the leadership of V S Achuthanandan. This was in 2002. The party launched an agitation demanding land titles. A padayatra (march) was held from Erumadu to Gudalur under party leadership. When the three-day march reached Gudalur, VS himself joined the final leg, energising the protest. VS inaugurated the concluding event of the march.

This movement marked a significant milestone in the resistance of both Malayalis and Tamils in the Nilgiris. Speaking at the concluding meeting, VS urged the Tamil Nadu government not to ignore the demands of the workers and farmers. He also wrote a letter to then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, representing Kerala as the Leader of the Opposition, demanding urgent action. It was not a letter that could be ignored.

Following this, actions against land grabbers in the Nilgiris slowed down. Along with the right to land, other demands raised by the protesters were also accepted. The presence and spirited leadership of VS were instrumental in the resistance, said N Vasu, the then district secretary and a farmer leader.

Even today, the CPI M continues its agitation for land titles. The revolutionary spirit passed on by VS remains a source of strength in the ongoing struggle, noted Nilgiris district secretary V A Bhaskaran.