Senior CPI(M) leader Baby John dies at 74
VETERAN Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and trade unionist Baby John Master died in Thrissur on Sunday, September 13, 2026. He was 74. He had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness.
Baby John was a former member of the CPI(M) State Secretariat and had held several key organisational positions during his long political career. He served as a member of the party's State Committee and as Thrissur District Secretary, besides serving as CITU Thrissur District Secretary.
A committed trade union organiser, Baby John played an active role in several workers' struggles and led numerous agitations during his political career. His involvement in the trade union movement began with the CITU area secretary position, and he later rose to become the district secretary. He also served as district president and secretary of the Beedi Workers' Union.
Baby John's political activism also brought him into conflict with the authorities during the Emergency period. He was jailed for about two and a half months during the Emergency. On Independence Day in 1975, he was reportedly subjected to severe police action while attempting to hoist a black flag as a form of protest.
Before entering full-time politics, Baby John worked as a teacher. He began teaching at PVM Lower Primary School at Blangad in Thaikkad panchayat in 1971. Following police action against him during his political activities, he was suspended from service for about one and a half years.
In 1991, he took voluntary retirement from teaching and became a full-time political activist. His political career subsequently saw him rise through the CPI(M)'s organisational ranks in Thrissur.
Baby John also contested the 2011 Kerala Assembly election from the Manalur constituency, seeking a mandate to represent the constituency in the Legislative Assembly.
His death marks the passing of a veteran of Keralam's Communist movement who spent decades in party organisation, trade union activities and workers' struggles.
Baby John is survived by his wife Sheela and children Manavan, Himavan and Angana.
