The Liberation Struggle in Kerala (1958–59) was a period of anticommunist protest against the first elected state government in Kerala, India, which was led by E. M. S. Namboodiripad of the Communist Party of India. Organised opposition to the state government was spearheaded by the Syro-Malabar Church, the Nair Service Society and Indian National Congress.The funding of the movement mostly came from outside of India, mobilised by the CIA and international Catholic organisations. Although termed a "liberation struggle", the campaign was largely peaceful by taking the form of statewide meetings and public demonstrations. Following mass protests in 1959, the Indian government finally bowed to pressure and dismissed Namboodiripad on 31 July 1959.