New Delhi: Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has denied media reports that prominent leaders of the Malabar Rebellion like Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji and Ali Musliyar were excluded from the official list of the martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle. Dr Om Jee Upadhyay, director of ICHR, told Mathrubhumi News that such reports are baseless.

He said that no such decision was taken to remove the name of Variyan Kunnathu Kunjahammed Haji from the list of freedom fighters. The names of the freedom fighters from Kerala are included in the fifth volume of the Dictionary of freedom struggles compiled by ICHR. The demand for dropping the names of some freedom fighters was raised in the council meeting. Following this, a committee was constituted to look into the matter.

The council held multiple meetings based on the findings. The research council hasn't so far approved the findings of the committee. The report will be examined in the general council meeting scheduled in June or September.