Economist and Dalit thinker Dr M Kunjaman passes away
Thiruvananthapuram: Dr M Kunjaman, a distinguished economist and important Dalit thinker, passed away at his home in Thiruvananthapuram. Known for his academic skills and principled stance, Kunzman had a remarkable career.
He secured first rank in MA Economics from Calicut University and became the first Dalit student to receive this honor after KR Narayanan. He served as a lecturer at the Kariyavattam campus of the University of Kerala for 27 years and later became a professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Maharashtra. Kunjiraman also played an important role as a member of the high-powered committee of the UGC that oversees the higher education sector in India.
In recognition of his literary contribution, Dr. Kunjaman was awarded the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Autobiography along with Dr. T. J. Joseph for “Attupokatha Oramakal”. However, Dr. Kunzman respectfully declined to accept the award, expressing his reluctance to be associated with such honors in the academic or intellectual field. His life stands as a testament to resilience in the face of caste-based discrimination.
Despite social challenges, Kunzman demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, receiving praise from all quarters. He was admired and respected by political stalwarts like EMS and VS, who valued his critical insights. Dr. Kunjaman’s unwavering dedication to his ideologies led him to give up various respected positions, including the Rajya Sabha membership, given to him by Mayawati’s party. Despite tempting political opportunities, he remained steadfast in his commitment to upholding his principles.
