Prof: K.M. Chandy was born at Meenachil taluk of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom, which was ruled by the King, (Maharaja) under the British Empire. In his childhood days he was influenced by the social changes and the desire for democratic reforms unleashed by Sree Naryana Guru and Mahatama Gandhi. After Malayalam memorial the famous Niivarathana movement for inclusion of Ezhavas, Christians and Muslims in Sree Mulam Praja sabha took place. Prof: Chandy was only 14 years old. He happened to attend a public meeting at Pala. He was moved by the story of Yatin Das, an eighteen year old, who was on hunger strike; died in Bengal Prison. Later Nivarthana movement gave birth to Travancore Sate Congress. Mr. Pattom Thannu Pillai was the President and Mr.T.M.Varghese was the brain behind the formation of State Congress. Sir C.P. Rama Sawamy Iyer (Sir CP) was the Divan of Travancore and he ruled the kingdom with iron fist. There was no justice for the poor and common citizens. Sir CP devised all types of physical and mental torcher methods to suppress dissidence. The State Congress leaders and the common people who were taken to custody were subjected to physical violence in police lock ups for several days and many lost their lives immediately or after release.
Sree Mulam sabha consisted of nominated members and representatives of communities based on allotted quotas for each community; elected by high land taxpaying citizens of respective communities. It never represented general public. The Sree Mulam sabha had its sessions in Victoria Jubilee memorial hall (VJT hall). The Government College was near VJT hall. After session, when the state congress leaders came out of VJT hall the students used cheer the leaders of the congress and they heckled the divan, when he was leaving hall. Infuriated CP decided to teach a lesson. On July 1938 he ordered the horse mounted army and police to enter the college campus and beat up the students. Many students were severely injured and many were arrested and tortured in lock up. Prof: K. M. Chandy was studying at ST. Burkmans College Changanacherry.
He organized a protest march of SB College students and a protest meeting was held in Changnacherry town near boat jetty. Chandy and tweleve co students were expelled from college and hostels. Next day they started a satyagraha in front of college. More students joined the protest. Public figures like Prakulam Bhasi, P.R.Madhavan Pillai, A.A. Rahim, Perunna K.N. Nair and large number of people visited satygraha venue offering support.
The students asked Chandy to prepare a report on satygraha and present it to News paper. He prepared the report and shown it to Sree Mammen Mapillai, Managing editor of Malayala Manorama. Mammen Mapillai gave the detailed news on next day’s news paper. Many students who were afraid to join the stir started to join the unrest. The news paper report drew public attention and people began to gather at changnacherry from neighboring areas The College principal called the congress leaders like Sree K.M. Kora and Sree P.J. Sebastin for discussion. The College authorities unconditionally withdrew the expulsion order. This was probably the first student revolt in entire Kerala. In 1938 August State Congress declared non corporation and violation of laws; students boycotted classes. K.M. Chandy participated actively in this struggle boycotting classes. K.M.Chandy had close association with Mr. M.P. Paul, who taught in SB College and later resigned from College due to differences with the Management. Mr. Paul was a well known nationalist and worn only Khadi clothes. Wearing khadi was an offense, attracting police arrests. K.M. Chandy started wearing Khadi clothes, which he continued till his death. In 1938 Mrs Acamma Cherian of Karippaparambil resigned her job of Head mistress and took charge of State congress dictator, when all other congress leaders were in jail. She reached Thiruvanathapuram from Mathurai on Mharajas birth day. She led ten thousand congress volunteers and general public to Maharajas palace to submit a memorandum. Horse mounted army and armed police attacked the procession and Colonel Walots took revolver and pointed to the procession. Miss Acamma told the Colonel “if you want to shoot; you shoot me first”. Hearing this public became very bold and courageous.