Deshabhimani

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Media in Kerala had reflected labour class struggles from the latter's nascent stage. Inspired by the Bolshevik revolution, Congress socialists began organising labour and farmer classes. There was a widespread campaign against Congress socialists then. This forced its leaders to think of using media to achieve their goals and it resulted in the origin of Prabhatham, the first Communist newspaper in Kerala was brought out in January 1935. Though the newspaper lasted for a short period it played a big role in Kerala’s social progress.

EMS recorded thus: We used Prabhatham for analysing issues faced by Kerala and to raise our opinions. Our major responsibilities included encouraging labour agitations and other public protests which were in initial stages. On the political front, we published reports on clashes between the left and right wings in the KPCC and also the stand of Congress Socialists on those issues. Prabhatham helped in spreading messages that boosted social progress. It also detailed the progress of agrarian movements.

The government then adopted a stand to control activities that helped social progress and banned Prabhatham. But, it could realise the Marxist concept of newspapers taking the roles of an agitator and organiser. In 1938, the printing of Prabhatham resumed in Kozhikode but its permission was revoked after the start of Second World War. These developments throw light into the hardships faced by the party in campaigning during that period.

Deshabhimani was first published as a monthly on 6 September 1942 in Kozhikode. It actively involved in political issues then. After the hanging of Kayyur comrades on 29 March 1943, Deshabhimani published an editorial titled "Thookkumarathinte Vili" (The call of the gallows). This provoked the Britishers who imposed a fine of Rs 1000. The massive public support helped Deshabhimani to collect the money in no time.

Deshabhimani's efforts to analyse significant political activities and to take them to the masses then have to be recorded in golden letters in Kerala's history. Prominent among them is an article by EMS titled "1921nte Aahvanavum Thakeethum" (1921's Exhorting and Warning) on the agrarian uprising in Malabar. The Britishers and their supporters tried to portray the Malabar Rebellion as a communal uprising but Deshabhimani termed it as a reflection of imbalance in land holdings. The paper had to face a ban for this as well.

The ban on the newspaper lasted from 1948 to 1951. During this period party continued publishing in different names –Republic, Kerala News, Viswa Keralam, Navalokam, Janayugam and Navajeevan. These publications helped the party to carry on its campaign for the progress of the society. In 1952, ahead of the general elections, the ban on Deshabhimani was lifted, and it tremendously helped the party in campaigning.

The reforms of the first Communist ministry of 1957 are well recognized. Prominent among them were the Land Reforms legislation and Education Bill. The mainstream media were reluctant to discuss the positive sides of these legislations. But Deshabhimani took people’s side and supported them.

In 1964, after the split of Communist party Deshabhimani became the mouthpiece of CPI (M) and unleashed a campaign against the Right Wing. The newspaper’s role in retaining the mass base in revolutionary politics was tremendous.

The newspaper had to undergo strict censorship during Emergency from 1975-1977. Despite the restrictions, the newspaper could conduct and active campaign against Emergency. During the time, Deshabhimani was published without an editorial which symbolized the people’s strong resentment towards the government.

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