Labour Monthly, November 1943
Source: Labour Monthly, November 1943, pp. 350;
Transcribed: by Ted Crawford.
[The following note on the families and accompanying letter received from N.M. Joshi is very revealing, not only of their needs, but of general Indian conditions. – Ed. L.M]
Thank you for the money sent to us for the Kayyur Dependants. We received £250 on July 13 and a further draft for £250 reached us on September 15. This makes a total of £500, or Rupees 6,655 2s. Regarding the distribution, we consulted Comrade E.M.S. Namboodripad, a well-known, Communist peasant leader of Malabar and on his advice we have decided to divide the available amount evenly among the four families. This we feel is the best course, as the slightly less poor family has more members, while the very poor family (Abu Baker’s) has only two members. We are making arrangements for the distribution which will take us a month, as Kayyur is a remote village. I am sending a note on the four families.
A mother of 65 years old and a brother of 15 years. They have no means of livelihood. They were entirely dependent on him They are also harassed by their relations, who, as rigid and orthodox Muslims, did not approve of their association with Communists and with struggles waged by the Kisan Sabha (peasant organisation). Their only property is a small thatched house.
Mother about 45 years, sister about 15 years. No means of livelihood. No house; the house that they had was destroyed by the Malabar Special Police during their stay in the area just after the Kayyur incident. They are now living in a thatched shed (with no walls) put up on the foundations of the former house.
Father about 60 years, is a priest among Thiyyas, backward community of Malabar. Mother about 55 years, Elder brother, an active worker in the Kisan organisation, about 30 years, and his wife, a women’s organisation worker, about 22 years. Sister about 18 years. The money will be divided between the father, mother and sister. They have leased property of 5 acres – and get an income of about Rs.30/-, a year (£2 6s.).
Father about 67 years; mother 50 years. Elder brother, an active worker in the Kisan organisation, about 37 years. Younger brother also a Kisan worker, 22 years. Youngest brother – 15 years old. Younger sister about 24 years. Two wives of elder brother, both about 27 years old. Own wife, about 21 years, a women’s organisation worker. The money will be divided between the father, mother, wife, younger brother and sister who are dependent on him. They have leased property of 4 acres, but because they pay less rent, their income is slightly more than that of Madathil Apph’s family – i.e., about Rs.50/- a year (just under £4).
[The Fund for the relief of the families now stands at £650. The target is £1,000. Donations from persons or organisations should be sent to R. Bridgeman, Treasurer, Kayyur Dependants’ Fund, 9, Southampton Place, London W.C.1. An army private, sending 30s. from himself and his fellows, writes: “We were very deeply stirred by the moving article by P.C. Joshi in the August LABOUR MONTHLY, and fervently hope that events will very soon prove that the Indian martyrs did not die in vain” – Ed. L.M.]