Cherayi Ramadas – A Historian with a Concerning Agenda

 Cherayi Ramadas – A Historian with a Concerning Agenda

As a dedicated history enthusiast and researcher, particularly focused on the history of Cochin, I make it a point to explore all available content on the subject across various mediums. Over the past two decades, I have invested significant time and resources—often at considerable personal expense—to study this history. The quality of material varies widely: some works are invaluable, while others fall far short of scholarly standards.

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Among the many authors I have come across is Cherayi Ramadas, whom I initially regarded as yet another left-leaning writer with a tendency to present selective narratives. My perception remained neutral until I encountered his 2023 publication "Sexual Inquisition – Introduction to Smaartha Vichaaram", a brief ebook available on Kindle.

As a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, I read the roughly 10-page book and was disappointed by its misleading presentation. The book discusses the 1905 Smaartha Vichaaram that occurred in the princely state of Cochin—a topic on which Ramadas is known to have conducted significant research. While the content provides a summary of the event, it suffers from numerous grammatical and typographical errors, which diminish its credibility.

More concerning is the disconnect between the book’s cover and its content. The cover features an image of the reigning Maharaja during the time of the event, yet the book offers no substantive connection to him—aside from his rule during the period in question. The conclusion appears to defend the Maharaja, which further contradicts the implications of the cover and title. This raises an important question: Why use the Maharaja’s image so prominently if he is not central to the narrative? Is it an attempt to subtly manipulate readers’ perceptions of this visionary ruler?

Ramadas’s broader body of work suggests a pattern of pushing selective interpretations, often aligned with particular ideological goals. When comparing the Maharaja, Rajarshi Rama Varma, with the post-independence leaders of Kerala, it is clear that his progressive vision and leadership remain unmatched.

This leads to a larger question: Who is funding or supporting individuals like Sri Cherayi Ramadas? Transparency in such matters would help clarify potential biases.

It is also concerning that prominent media outlets—such as Madhyamam, True Copy Think, and MediaOne—have given platforms to voices like Ramadas while sidelining counter-narratives, even when supported by credible evidence. Based on my personal experience and observation, these entities appear to be aligned in their messaging.

Note:

The Kindle edition of this book is priced at ₹70 for approximately 10 pages. I would strongly advise against purchasing it, as the content does not justify the cost or offer any substantial academic value.