Oommen Chandy (1943 – 2023): An Exemplary Orthodox Christian Politician

Oommen Chandy, born on 31 October 1943 in Kumarakam, Kottayam district, hails from a politically involved family. His grandfather, VJ Oommen, was a member of the 22nd and 23rd sessions of the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly (1926, 1927) and Travancore Legislative Council (1928 – 1931).

Oommen Chandy pursued his pre-university course at CMS College, Kottayam, and earned a BA (Economics) from St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. He furthered his education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B) from the Government Law College, Ernakulam.

His journey in politics commenced with his active involvement in the Kerala Students Union (KSU), where he served as president from 1967 to 1969. Later, he was elected as the president of the State Youth Congress, a position he held from 1970 to 1972.

For an impressive five decades, Chandy represented the Puthuppally constituency, securing his position in the Kerala Legislative Assembly through successful elections in 1970, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021.

Throughout his political career, Chandy held ministerial roles on four occasions within the Government of Kerala. Initially, he served as the Minister for Labour during the first K. Karunakaran ministry from 11 April 1977 to 27 April 1977. He continued in the same portfolio during the subsequent first A. K. Antony ministry until 29 October 1978. Later, he assumed the position of Home Minister in the second K. Karunakaran ministry from 28 December 1981 to 17 March 1982. In the fourth K. Karunakaran ministry, he was sworn in as a minister once again on 2 July 1991, this time in charge of the Finance Portfolio, before eventually resigning from the cabinet on 22 June 1994.

Notably, Chandy’s remarkable efforts in combating corruption within the public service earned him recognition and praise. In 2013, he was honored with the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award for the Asia-Pacific region for his work on “Preventing and Combating Corruption in the Public Service.” The award ceremony, centered around the theme “Transformative e-Government and Innovation: Creating a Better Future for All,” took place on 27 June 2013 in Manama, Bahrain, where he received the accolade from the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo.

On 18 July 2023, Oommen Chandy passed away at the age of 79 in Chinmaya Mission Hospital, Bengaluru, due to complications from throat cancer. His remains were later transported to Thiruvananthapuram by a chartered flight and were initially kept at the Durbar hall, followed by the KPCC office.

On 19 July 2023, the funeral procession commenced from the state capital, making its way to his hometown, Puthupally, which was a distance of approximately 160 km. The solemn procession lasted around 30 hours, with a vast number of people gathering along the route to catch a glimpse of the procession as it made its way to the final resting place.

Afterward, Oommen Chandy’s body was taken to his family home and then to his unfinished house. Subsequently, it was brought to the St. George Orthodox Church, Puthuppally, where numerous guests, including Rahul Gandhi and HE Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alenchery of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, arrived to pay their last respects.

Pic: Manoramma Online

The final part of the funeral service was presided over by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (Primate of the Malankara Church). Oommen Chandy’s interment took place in a special vault designated for him by the church.

As per his request, the family declined state honors, with his son stating that Oommen Chandy wished to be remembered as an ordinary man since he was born, lived, and wanted to pass away as one. His demise was mourned by dignitaries, including the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister of India, as well as the Governor and Chief Minister of Kerala. Religious leaders, such as His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, also offered their condolences.