Com. K. M. Sudhakaran in conversation with Indu Agnihotri

Abstract

K. M. Sudhakaran was a veteran CPI(M) leader, trade unionist, and former State Committee member from Kerala who passed away in December 2025 at the age of 90.

Popularly known as KMS, Sudhakaran was a frontline leader of several major labour struggles in Kerala. He began organising toddy tappers at a young age and fought relentlessly for their rights. He was only 18 years old when he led the historic transport workers’ strike in 1954. During various agitations, he was subjected to police brutality and imprisonment.

KMS emerged as a key figure in numerous struggles, including the land rights movement and toddy workers’ strikes. He spent 16 months in jail during the Emergency. He was also the first to propose the concept of a welfare fund for toddy tappers, which later became a landmark initiative for labour welfare in the state.

The interview was conducted by Prof. Indu Agnihotri, historian, on 4 November 2024 at K. M. Sudhakaran’s house in Paravur, Kerala.

Included here: 1 DOCUMENT: K M Sudhakaran interview Key Points – in Malayalam and English 2 VIDEO Video Interview link: https://citu.s.gy/kmsudhakaran To view the video, click the first link below under URI.