Vakkom Khader The Man Who Died for His Country

Vakkom Khader A Man Who Died for His Country

Dr. T Jamal Mohammed

Vakkom Abdel Khader was an unsung champion of the cause of Indian independence struggle. Although we remember the glorious exploits of many Malayalees who took part in the fight to drive out the colonial power, Khader’s story is largely less articulated. This biography of Vakkom Khader written by Dr. T Jamal Muhammed with a deep sense of history and politics, is relevant as an authentic effort to commemorate a forgotten hero.

Khader played an active role in Kerala Muslim Union of Malaya. He was a volunteer of Indian Independence League at Kuala Lumpur where India soldiers of the British army camped. He was also a member of 33 member squad that worked to report the activities of British Raj in India. The members were intensely trained  in techniques of warfare, espionage, history and geography.

It was in September 1942 that INA sent 20 youngsters including Khader and 11 other Malayalees to India. They were directed to engage in risky and dangerous operations. However, when they landed at the Tanur coast, they were caught. Later a colonial court sentenced them to death. Though there was a public wave of high protest and sympathy for them, they were hanged. Khader’s last wish, to be hanged along with a Hindu brother, was not only a keen response to the impending doom of Partition which he was fully aware of, but also a unique and farsighted gesture about the secular dream that patriots like him had in mind for the country.