A K Gopalan

Ayillyath Kuttiari Gopalan popularly known as A. K. Gopalan or AKG was an Indian communist leader and first leader of opposition in India. Before India gained her independence; AKG was an active member of the Indian National Congress and participated in the freedom struggle movement.

Early Life and Career of A. K. Gopalan

A.K Gopalan was born on 1st October 1904 in Peralasseri, Kannur District of Kerala. He was educated in Tellichery and became a teacher. He became a part of India’s freedom movement. He participated in the Khilafat Movement.In 1927 he joined the Indian National Movement and worked towards the upliftment of Harijans and participated in the Khadi Movement. In 1930 he was arrested for participating in Satyagrah. While in prison he became a member of the Congress Socialist Party.

He led the hunger march from Malabar region to Madras in 1937 and the Malabar Jatha in support of the movement for responsible government in Travancore. In 1939 he became a member of the Communist Party of India. In 1939 when there was a rise in activist movement after the outbreak of 2nd World War, AKG was arrested again but escaped the prison in 1942.After India gained her independence, he remained the member of Lok Sabha for five times consecutively till his death.

He became the first leader of opposition in the parliament of India. AKG played an important role in the formation of Indian Coffee House, a worker cooperative initiative by organizing the thrown out employees of Coffee Houses of Coffee Board to establish ICHs in late 1950s.