PJ Sebastian: commemorating a life and career

Photos: Article in Malayalam newspaper, Deepika; PJ Sebastian in his mid-thirties; the book cover; relatives and well-wishes pay respects at the grave; my great-grandfather

Today, November 25, is my grandfather PJ Sebastian’s 50th death anniversary.

Articles commemorating his life and achievements have appeared in a few Malayalam newspapers.

In the following article, published on March 13, 2007, in The Hindu there is a look at his life.

Democratic struggles

By R Madhavan Nair

An English translation of the memoirs of P.J. Sebastian, who was a frontline activist in social and political struggles in 1930s, has been brought out by C.T. Mathew, the former Director of Government Dental College in Kozhikode.

Sebastian shot into the political limelight as the chairman of Changanasserry municipal council when he was only 29. He was also a leader of the Catholic community and widely appreciated for his skills as an orator. His memoirs published posthumously under the title, `My Life,' would be of interest to all those interested in politics and the growth of the Catholic community.

The memoirs published under the title `My Life,' documents an eventful period in history when democratic struggles were staged to demand a more representational character for legislature and a more equitable share for various communities in Government jobs, which were at that time dominated by Nairs, Brahmins and other "forward communities."

"It is a sad fact that the new generation of Keralites who are now settled in foreign countries are unable to understand books in Malayalam, which contain interesting details about their past. That is why I decided to translate it into English," explains Dr. Mathew, on why he chose to translate into English Sebastian's memoirs.

Sebastian's memoirs were printed and published only after his demise in 1972. The income from the sale of the book was to be donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Central Council, Changanasserry. He had travelled across the State to promote the Society of Vincent de Paul.

Sebastian was born at Changanasserry in 1898. He established a reputation as a powerful speaker and a leader of the Catholic community. Sebastian emerged as a prominent figure in what has come to be known as the "abstention movement" for more representation for various communities in the legislature.

`My Life' also throws light on the last phase of the rule of Diwan Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer and the rule of the first Communist Ministry. Sebastian was in jail when the Diwan left after an assault on his life. Subsequently after self-rule was declared by the Maharaja of Travancore, he continued to remain in jail where he struck a friendship with Mannath Padmanabhan, even though the two had conflicts during the abstention movement. After getting self-rule, he took up prestigious jobs of Public Service Commissioner and later became the Panchayat director. After retirement, Sebastian served as the president of Primary School Teachers Association.

In 1954, he was elected to State Assembly from Kurichi constituency. He led the `vimochana samaram' (liberation struggle) that culminated in the dismissal of the E.M.S. Ministry by the Congress-led government at the Centre.

Dr. Mathew has added a short general history of the period when Sebastian was active in politics and public life. "This would lead to better understanding, especially for those who are not well-acquainted with Kerala history.

(Courtesy: The Hindu)

http://hindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031301910200.htm