Kozhikode: Freedom fighter P Vasu, popularly known as Socio Vasu, died at 103 in Kozhikode’s Thiruvannur following age-related health complications.

Vasu led a march from Kundayithode to Cheruvannur during the Quit India Movement in 1942. He was arrested and beaten by British police and sentenced to three-and-a-half months in jail.

Born in January 1923, Vasu developed an interest in the freedom movement after attending a meeting addressed by Mahatma Gandhi during his 1934 visit to Kozhikode.

In 1943, he went underground for more than nine months after police sought to detain him in connection with a bomb-threat case involving Farook bridge. He maintained that he had no involvement in the incident.

After Independence, Vasu joined the socialist movement and received Socialist Party membership from Jayaprakash Narayan. His socialist beliefs earned him the nickname ‘Socio Vasu’.

In 1951, he refused an offer of 10 acres in Wayanad and ₹2,000 given to freedom fighters, saying he had fought for the country’s freedom, not financial benefits.

Vasu also protested during the Emergency in 1975 and was beaten by police while picketing a local post office. He spent 23 days at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital recovering from his injuries.

In 1997, Vasu was felicitated in Delhi by then President K R Narayanan on the 50th anniversary of Independence.