KOZHIKODE: M.P. Narayana Menon, who hails from Angadipuram in the erstwhile Malabar district of British India, was one of the few Hindu leaders arrested during the Malabar Rebellion (termed as Mappila Riots by the British) in 1921. He served 13 years in prison for ‘waging war against the King’. Mr Menon was also active during the Quit India movement in which he was again jailed until 1946.
On his 50th death anniversary, Angadippuram Grama Panchayat is organising a series of commemorative programmes including exhibition, seminars and a memorial lecture in association with Calicut University history department. The programmes will be held at St Mary’s College, Puthanangadi, from October 6 to 8. Commemoration programme general convener and Malappuram District Panchayat member T.K. Rashid Ali said it aimed at throwing light on his life and struggle and the Malabar Rebellion, particularly for the younger generation.
“Menon was one of the secular symbols of the Rebellion, and his ideologies and concepts are very much relevant at present,” he said. This is his first extensive commemoration programme. “He is considered as the political guru of EMS Namboodiripad and his ideas influenced him to a great extent. Understanding more about MP and his contributions to the independence movement and the society, in general, is a must for the present generation,” said Shumais U., a research scholar in ‘political prisons and political prisoners’ in Malabar at Calicut University.
