Shri Kutty Hassanaru Kunju Soopi

Shri Kutty Hassanaru Kunju Soopi was a member of the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore, India, the first popularly elected legislature in India's history.
Descending from the Syed family of Persia, Soopi was a businessman from Tellicherry and a prominent political leader of Quilon, Kerala, the business hub of Travancore. Soopi was a notable figure in Quilon during the period from 1920 to 1950, being elected to the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly in 1930 (its 26th session) from the Municipal Council of Quilon.
The little-documented history of Quilon at that time suggests that he was a strong and capable leader who confidently overcame the political and economic challenges he faced whilst establishing the new principality. During his tenure the Thevally Bridge was constructed in Kollam, in addition to numerous mosques that were built and renovated. In 1908 he inaugurated the mosque in Kollam's Chinnakada commercial area after an extensive renovation.
Membership of the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly was limited to landlords and merchants. The objective was "solely to give the people an opportunity of bringing to the notice of the Government their requirements, wishes or grievances on the one hand, and on the other, to make the policy and measures of the Government better known to the people so that all possible grounds of misconception in regard to the action of Government may be removed."
Soopi died at the age of 54.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu