R. Sugathan, (23 December 1901 – 14 February 1970), popularly known as Sugathansir, was an Indian Communist leader and an early trade unionist of Kerala. He was elected to the Travancore-Cochin Assembly in 1952 (Alleppey) & 1954 from Maraikkulam (Mararikulam),^[1] followed by first Kerala Legislative Assembly elections in 1957 from Karthigapally (Karthikappally) in present Alappuzha district, and second assembly also from Karthikappally as a CPI member.^[2][3]

Born R. Shreedharan in Kerala. After passing his Malayalam Middle school he came under influence of Buddhist doctrine and soon changed his name to R. Sugathan.^{[citation needed]}

He was an active member of the Sahodara Sangham (The Brotherhood Movement), later he left his teaching job at a private school to join SNDP, where he worked hard to eliminate caste as an institution, and also SNDP's political wing, Ezhava Political League, and when Congress came into existence in the state he became its part. In 1938, he organized coir factory workers into union and was arrested for agitating, and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment.^{[citation needed]}

Later, he became involved with the Travancore Labour Association and finally he left Congress joined the Communist Party in 1942, he was imprisoned twice again in the following years.^[4]

In 2008, his death anniversary on 14 February was observed as 'flag day' by Communist Party of India (CPI) at its State conference at Thiruvananthapuram^[5]

• Immortal heroes: lives of Communist leaders, by Communist Party of India. Pub. Communist Party of India, 1975. p. 156.
• Sakhavu R. Sugathan (Comrade R. Sugathan) by Raghavan Puthupally. Kottayam: Current Books, 1999.

• Kerala Legislators, Profiles up to 2006 p 240

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