The Abstention movement was started by Christian, Muslim and Ezhava Communities in 1932 demanding reservation of the communities in legislature and government jobs in proportion to their population.
This struggle for responsible government was ledby N.VJoseph, P.K.KunjuandC.Kesavan.
Subsequently they formed ‘Joint Political Congress’ and exhorted the people to abstain from voting.
Following the agitation, a Public Service Commission was appointed to ensure the representation of backward classes.