Strong protest against demolition of historic Ottappalam court

PALAKKAD: The Archaeological Survey of India has recommended looking into the demand that the Ottappalam court complex, which dates back to the freedom struggle period, should be converted into a heritage museum. Archaeological Survey of India Thrissur Circle Superintendent Archaeologist KP Mohandas has written to the Art and Heritage Commission of Thiruvananthapuram and the Collector of Palakkad in this regard. Earlier, the authorities had planned to demolish the dilapidated building and build a seven-storey court complex at a cost of Rs 23.35 crore.

The first KPCC conference was held on April 23, 1921, in Ottappalam. It was this conference of leaders from Malabar, Travancore and Kochi that paved the way for the dream of a united Kerala. The leaders who participated in the conference were arrested by the British police and tried in this court.

About 5,000 people attended the conference. Attempts are being made to demolish this historic remnant on the 100th anniversary of the first KPCC conference. There are no remnants of the KPCC conference history in any part of the state.

Ottappalam Court is more than a century and a half old. Under the Treaty of Srirangapatna of 1792, the areas comprising Ottappalam came under British rule and the British started a court at Cherpulassery. Justice Madhavan Nair, author Justice Oyyarathu Chandu Menon, Justices Fathima Beevi, P Janaki Amma, A Hariprasad and other eminent judges and lawyers had worked at this court.

According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958, buildings that are more than 100 years old must be protected. So the demand is strong that the old court should not be demolished.