By M K George

Rome, July 22, 2023: Death is a great revealer. The quote from Shakespeare, ‘the evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones,’ is not always true. On the contrary, death and accompanying ceremonies can be great eye-openers and inspirational events.

One recent and remarkable event was the death and funeral services for Oommen Chandy, a former Chief Minister of Kerala, southern India. Thousands, including women and children, lined up along the main road through which his moral remains were transported.

Braving scorching sun and rain, they showered flowers and shed their tears for a leader whom they loved, beyond party politics. Indeed, remarkable for a state like Kerala, where party lines are clearly drawn.

“He got many awards when he was alive, but the farewell he is getting now from the people is the highest recognition he has received,” his daughter said.

“He (Chandy) loved and respected his political rivals and opponents. That is the kind of political leader he was. There was a mutual love and respect among us,” said a minister in the government. (mathrubhumi.com July 19, 2023).

Unbelievable accolades

It was not the run-of-the mill kind of eulogies. Mainstream and social media brim with moving testimonies of affection for the man, across party lines, religious distinctions, gender differences, or even age-differences. The funeral procession from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, to Puthupadi, the hometown of the deceased, about 200 km, witnessed scenes of intense emotional farewells.

Of the hundreds of moving events and narrations, I recall two. One is the scene of a middle-aged father running with his son, may be of ten years, along the ambulance, which carried the body of Chandy, begging the driver to stop and allow them to have a glimpse of Chandy. Finally, the driver obliges and the father and the son bow their heads in front of the body. It is indeed a very moving scene.

The second is the story of a primary school student, who many years ago, dared to call out ‘Oommen Chandy, Oommen Chandy’ from a crowd of students, parents and teachers, where Chandy had just attended a function. Characteristic of him, Chandy stopped and asked the girl to come closer.

Chandy himself narrated the event in an interview and he recalled that the child, Shivani, was perturbed seeing the reaction of those around her, when she called him Oommen Chandy. She explained to him that is the way she had heard him being called. He just ignored that and asked her why she had called him. She answered: ‘My classmate Amal Krishna has no home of his own. His father is seriously sick. Please build him a house.’ Of course, Chandy took it seriously, followed up with the local district officials, and got her classmate a house of his own.

Intense love for the people, unbelievable energy to meet the people, his compassion that went beyond party lines, commitment to the development of the state and deep commitment to ethical principles defined the man.

One of the saddest moments in his life was when a woman accused him of sexual exploitation in connection with the notorious solar scam case. To his good luck, the CBI had cleared him of any involvement with the woman.

Confirming Chandy’s innocence, after his death, a prominent consultant editor, apologized to him for not speaking up, when he was aware that it was a false allegation. ‘Desabhimani ex-consulting editor N Madhavankutty has apologized for reporting sex allegations against Oommen Chandy,’ said reports.

Political Morality and lessons from Chandy

In an insightful article, ‘Can politicians be moral?’ Stephen de Wizje (2019) says, ‘We want our politicians to be good persons and act morally on our behalf. Yet they continually fail to live up to our expectations. We think of a great many of our politicians as corrupt, self-serving and, at best, amoral.’

Chandy proved through his life that it need not be the case. Reports after reports, testimonies and real-life events show that Chandy lived a life of moral principles, ethical rigor and faith in God. He was led by compassion. For him a life of politics was for service. His availability to people, innovativeness and daring nature remain an inspiration for all.

“In seeking to advance morally worthy actions, it is imperative that the policymaker (politician) pursues his or her calling with humility,” said Mark Amstuz. (2019).

That is precisely the contribution of Chandy to political life in India: Humility and service. Unfortunately, a rare quality among the Indian politicians of the day.

(Father M K George is a former head of the Jesuits’ Kerala province.)