Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh controversy has erupted within the Congress party in Kerala after a formal complaint was submitted against KPCC general secretary Pazhakulam Madhu. The complaint, addressed to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, alleges that Mr. Madhu made historically inaccurate remarks about the Vaikom Sathyagraha during a party meeting held last year. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Madhu engaged in retaliatory actions against a Congress mandalam president who had publicly contradicted him during that party meeting. The complaint accuses Mr. Madhu of first removing the mandalam president from his organisational responsibilities and subsequently attempting to block his candidature for the forthcoming local body elections.
The controversy traces back to a leadership meeting convened by the Pathanamthitta District Congress Committee last year as part of the preparatory activities for the centenary observance of the Vaikom Sathyagraha. The KPCC had announced statewide programmes marking 100 years of the historic agitation, which holds a seminal place in Kerala’s social reform history. The Vaikom Sathyagraha of 1924–25 is widely regarded as a watershed in the struggle for the rights of Dalits and other oppressed communities, particularly their freedom to use public roads surrounding the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. The movement drew national attention, with Mahatma Gandhi and several prominent reformers extending support.
According to the complaint, during the meeting Mr. Madhu remarked that Sree Narayana Guru had “no connection” with the Vaikom Sathyagraha. The statement prompted immediate objection from a mandalam president, who reportedly stood up and pointed out that the Guru had in fact supported the agitation, contributing ₹1,000 and offering one of his ashrams to the satyagrahis. The intervention, described by the complainant as an attempt to correct a factual inaccuracy, reportedly led to friction within the meeting.
Following the incident, Mr. Madhu’s remarks drew sharp criticism from several quarters of the party. Critics alleged that he later proposed launching a related commemorative programme from the statue of Veluthampi Dalawa, an idea that also faced opposition from sections of the party, who cited historical accounts claiming Dalawa’s involvement in atrocities against Ezhava youths in the region a century ago.
The current dispute escalated when the mandalam president who had contradicted Mr. Madhu was relieved of his organisational duties. The complaint now alleges that Mr. Madhu is attempting to prevent the same leader from securing a Congress ticket for the upcoming local body polls, a move that has intensified dissent within party ranks.
With the matter reaching the AICC leadership, party sources expect internal discussions to follow. As of now, the Congress has not issued an official response regarding the allegations raised against Mr. Madhu.
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