Cherian J. Kappan

Cherian J. Kappan (also spelled as Kappen) was a Freedom fighter, Indian National Congress leader, Member of the Travancore–Cochin Legislative Assembly and Member of Parliament from Kerala, India. He was a member of Travancore State Legislature from 1948 to 1951 and M.L.A. in Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1954. Kappan represented Ramapuram constituency as a Congress Parliamentary Party candidate in Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly. He represented Muvattupuzha constituency in third Lok Sabha (1962–67). He was the first chairman of the Pala Municipality.

Biography Cherian J. Kappan was born on March 26, 1911, at Pala, Kottayam district to Eapen and Thresiamma. After his primary education from St. Thomas E. H. School, Palai, he done his graduation from St. Joseph's College, Trichi and St. Thomas College, Trichur. At first he worked jointly with P. T. Chacko, but soon became an independent lawyer. Kappan also made strong speeches against Diwan Sir CP's idea of independent Travancore, instead of being part of the Indian Union. He held several other positions including District Congress Committee President, President of Dist. Coperative Bank, Kottayam, executive committee member of State Cooperative Bank, president of Pepper Marketing Cooperative Society, Pala, president of Meenachil Taluka Library Union and Vice president of Catholica Congress.

The Kappan family is the main political rival of K. M. Mani's family in Pala. Mani and the Kappan family were not opposed at first. Mani started his practice as a lawyer as a junior to Cherian. Mani C. Kappan defeated Kerala Congress (M) leader and K. M. Mani's son Jose K. Mani in the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections.

Honors Cherian J. Kappan Memorial Municipal Stadium in Pala is named after him. The stadium was given the name when the industrial training center in the municipality named after Kappan was closed.