For freedom fighter K.E. Mammen, life was one unending fight, a fight for what one believed to be right, a fight for justice, and a fight without compromising on the ideal of non-violence.
With his passing, Kerala has perhaps lost one of the last of those who have seen and touched Mahatma Gandhi, a story that he liked to recount often.
That happened during Gandhi’s visit here for discussions on temple entry. Mammen has recounted that he had managed to kiss his hand then.
Drawing inspiration from Gandhi and those like C. Kesavan early in his life, Mr. Mammen was not one to stop himself from asking the uncomfortable questions, whatever be its aftermath.
Giving his all
Mr. Mammen was born as the son of K.C. Eapen and Kunjandamma in 1921. He plunged into the freedom struggle quite early in his life as an intermediate student at the Arts College, during which time he was the president of the Travancore Students Federation.
He was arrested during this time for leading a students’ struggle against C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, Dewan of the erstwhile Travancore, and was ousted from college.
Later, he shifted base to Madras, but he could not complete his education there too, as he got involved in the Quit India movement.
Back in his home State, in free India, he turned his attention to a range of issues, giving his all to every struggle he has been part of. In recent years, some of his notable protests have been against hartals by political parties and against liquor. He was a regular presence in many anti-liquor protests. In a life of struggle, Mammen chose to remain single till death.