Select Committee Records Evidence: Obstructionist Tactics by Crowd.

The Select Committee on the Kerala Education Bill met in the Alwaye palace at 12.30 p.m. on the 1st August 1957 and recorded evidence from representative organisations and individuals. When the Committee started recording evidence, there was a regular flow of people, about 400 in number, all demanding immediate interview with the Committee for their evidence being taken. Many of them indulged in demonstrations shouting slogans. Some persons entered the office of the Committee Secretariat hindering the staff on duty in their work. On account of the disturbances, the Committee found it difficult to carry on their deliberations in a calm atmosphere. The Committee, therefore, considered the matter and came to the decision that a list of all persons who had applied for interview would be immediately notified in the Committee Office and that another list of persons whom the Committee would like to interview on the 2nd and 3rd August would be put up in the Office at 5.30 p.m. It was also decided that priority would be given to organisations and individuals of a representative character and that any other person intending to give evidence might offer written statements to the office which would be treated as evidence.

The Committee then interviewed the persons who had by this time assembled on the verandah in front of the hall where the Committee held its sitting and informed them of the above decision. After some time they dispersed. The Committee then continued recording of evidence and adjourned at 5.30 P.M.
(Official Press release dated the 2nd August 1957).