Joseph Vadakkan
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Fr. Joseph Vadakkan (b. October 1, 1919 - d. December 28, 2002) was a political activist priest of Kerala, freedom fighter,[citation needed] and the founder of the political party known as Karshaka Thozilali Party (KTP). Vadakkan organised many agitations and took part in protest marches, satyagrahas, and rallies. He was also arrested and jailed. He was reprimanded by his own Church.
Fr. Vadakkan was born as the son of Thoyakkavu Vadakkan Ittikkuru and Kunjila Ittikkuru. While working as a young teacher, Joseph took part in the Quit India Movement by organizing teachers. The weekly Thozhilali (labourer) that he started later grew into a daily newspaper. When the Vimochana Samaram, an agitation against the first Communist ministry broke out in 1958, Vadakkan played a leading role. However, he allied with communists like the A.K. Gopalan in some other agitations.
Vadakkan’s unconventional ways soon brought him into conflict with the Church. The Church disliked his alliance with the communists. Vadakkan conducted a Holy Mass in Thekkinkadu Maidan, in Thrissur, which led to controversy. Following his clash with the Church, he was suspended from conducting Mass for 8 years. Later, he organised struggles for the cause settler farmers in Kerala.
Fr. Vadakkan’s pioneering works as a revolutionary priest gains an added significance when one hears of the Perivian priest Gustavo Gutierrez and his concept of Liberation Theology, which Fr. Vadakkan has de facto practiced almost three decades ago before the rise of the said school of theology.
Fr. Vadakken wrote about 50 books and brought out poetry collections and plays.
On December 29, 2002 Vadakkan died at the age of 83.
