Role of Tamilnadu in National Moveme

4. V.O.C
BHARATHI
KAMARAJ
E.V.R
Tirupur Kumaran

5.  For the first time, most of the regions in India were
united politically and administratively under a single
power (the British rule). It introduced a uniform system
of law and government.
 The introduction of railways, telegraphs and postal
services and the construction of roads and canals
facilitated communication among the people.
 All these brought Indians nearer to each other and
provided the facility to organise the national movement
against the British.
Though the caste system did not allow bring together.

6.  The Indian Press, both English and vernacular, had also aroused
the national consciousness.
 The press both the English and the vernacular played a
significant role all over the country.
 They enkindled the spirit of the nationalists; brought the leaders
together; enlightened the masses by their powerful writings and
brought out the oppressive nature and the exploitative tendencies
of the British colonialists.
 Tamil Nadu is no exemption to this of course the role of the press
and works of journalists who were nationalists in the National
Movement have to be articulated sufficiently.
 As one reads the history of the freedom struggle in India he/she
is impressed to learn the significant role played by the press.

7.  The role of both English and vernacular press was
commendable particularly in disseminating
information on freedom struggle to the people,
educating them on the political developments,
initiating debates and discussions on the political
issues, mobilizing the masses for the cause of
independence etc.,
 Richard Johnson a printer in the service of the
government of Madras was considered as the
founder of the first newspaper in Tamil Nadu.
 He started the Madras Courier on 12 October 1785,
a weekly newspaper.

8.  The Madras Times was founded as a bi-weekly in
1835-1921.FOUNDED BY JOHN GOLDINGHAM.
 The Madras Times flourished throughout the
second half of the 19th century.
 Gantz and Sons also acquired The Spectator, the
first major newspaper in South India.
 The paper was converted to a daily in 1860.
 In 1844 Gazulu Lakshmanarasu Chetty, a Telugu
merchant, launched The Crecent, a newspaper, to
defend the rights and privileges of the Hindu
community and supported the Madras Native
Association.

9. It was in 1878 that the 23-year –old
Subramania Aiyar and a fellow schoolmaster
and friend, M. Veeraghavachariar, together
with four law students, had started The
Hindu.
The Indian Express to be started in 1932 by a
Ayurvedic doctor, Varadarajulu Naidu, who
has been described as the ‘Tilak of South
India’ and who had founded Tamil Nadu,
an outspoken Tamil weekly that had grown
into a daily by 1927.

10. IN TAMILNADU
 During the later part of the 19th century and the first half
of the 20th century, India opinion was getting hardened
against British rule here.
 The formation of INC in the year 1885 when Lord
Dufferin was the viceroy, the Indian National Congress
was founded and it met for the first time in Bombay.
 Tamils who took an active part in the early activities of
the Congress were C. Vijayaraghavachariar of Salem,
Kasturiranga Iyengar and Gopalacharlu.

11. The desire for independence by Tamil
people
The part played by Tamil land in the freedom
struggle movement was unique the wave that
started for independence in Northern part of
India-spread over to the South and inspired
many a Tamil, of which V.O. Chidambaram
Pillai, Subramonia Siva and V.V.S. Iyyar
were prominent.

12. The Coming of Bebin Chandra Pal in
Tamilnadu
 Bebin Chandra Pal who was released from prison in
1907 held continuous meeting for days at Marina
Beach (Chennai).
 His extremist principles awakened the Tamils and
they began to campaign against the government.
 Such restlessness sprang in several parts of the
land.

13. V.O.C
V.O.C was born to Ulakantha Pillai, a rich
advocate having exemplary character and
Paramaie Ammaiyar on 5th day of September,
1872 at Ottapidaram in Tirunelveli district.
In commemoration of the name of his father’s
brother he was named “Chidambaram.”

14. HIS POLITICAL CAREER
(1905- 1908)
 Involving himself completely in politics, he revolted against
the English and tried to implement the principles of
extremism uttering the code word (slogan) ‘Vandemadaram”.
(I praise the mother India)
 He insisted the people the necessity of boycotting goods
as to reduce the supremacy of the English.
 Many people kept him in collecting shares towards the
building of this shipping company.

16.  With this capital V.O.C got
two ships from a French
Company, bought one and
got another for lease.
 These two ships were put to
navigation between
Tuticorin to Colombo in
1909.
 The encouragement of the
people of this enterprise
though high in the
beginning – reduced
gradually.
 So V.O.C was called
“Kappalottiya Tamilan”.

17.  He established ‘Swadeshi Dharma Sanga Weaving
Association’ at Tuticorin.
 To safeguards the traders and workers of Tuticorin, he
encouraged the establishment of “trade guilds” and
“Workers Association”.
 The ‘Swadesavimana Sangam’ founded at Tirunelveli in
1908 was the result of his effort.
 The above said organisations served as the soldiers
against the English atrocities.
 In 1907 V.O.C took part a Conference which was held at
Surat.
 In that conference eloquent speech of V.O.C attracted
the whole mass.

18. THE ARREST OF V.O.C
 The leaders of Tamil to
celebrate the release of
Bepin Chandrapal from
prison on the 19th day of
March 1907.
 They made all the
arrangements for this when
he visited Madras 1907.
 In that procession on that
day, thousands of people
participated.

19.  Induced by the eagerness of independence
some of them plunged themselves in
unlawful activities.
 To control the situation, police opened fire:
four were killed and several wounded.
 Many leaders including V.O.C were arrested
for provoking the people.

20. HIS IMPRISONMENT
(1908 -1912)
The imprisonment of V.O.C
was six years.
He was tortured inhumanly
in the prisons at Coimbatore
and Kannanoor.
He was given maize fooding
as food and he was
compelled to do the work of
a bullock in a native oil
mill: hence called
“Chekkilutha Chemmal”

21. BHARATHIYAR (1882-1921)
 Bharathiyar Father-
Chinnaswami Iyyar
 Mother-Lakshmi Ammal
 Born at –Ettayapuram in
Tirunelveli 11th, 1882.
 He received a title
“Bharathi’ from the king of
Ettayapuram at the age of
11.
 He appointed court poet in
the year 1902 by king of
Ettayapuram.

22.  But Bharathi left that post the very next year and
started his career as a teacher and wrote poems in
newspapers.
 In 1904 he had became the sub-editor of a daily called
“Swadesamitran” and the editor in charge of a
monthly magazine named “Chakravarthini”.
 He took active part in the struggle for independence
together with V.O.C in 1905.
 He became the editor of “India” in 1907 and also took
responsibility to publish as English paper called
“Balabharatham”.

23.  He took part together with V.O.C in the Congress
conference held at Surat in 1907.
 He also followed the extremist principles of Tilak.
 He opposed the suppressive measures of the English
vehemently.
 He had criticized the principles of the English.
 When the restrictions of the government exceeded the
boundaries he migrated to pondicherry.
 There again he published the daily India.
 This paper awakened the people with independent quest.
 So the government banned this daily and Bharathi to stop
it.

24.  Bharathiyar shifted his residence from Pondicherry to
Tamilnadu.
 Bharathiyar suffered poverty between 1918 and 1920.
 But his sufferings only enchanced his interest towards
independence and literature.
 Again he became editor of Swadesamitran.
 He died 11th September,1921.But he is remembered as
“Amarakavi Bharathiyar”.

25. VACHINATHAN
 Born in 1886 at
Senkottai.
 Father –Regubathi Ayyar
 Mother – Rukmani.
 His natural name-
Sankaran.
 He became the member
of the “Bharatha Matha”
extremist Oraganisation
which constantly acted
against the English
Governmet.

26.  He showed deep interest in gathering new members in
the Bharatha Matha organisation.
 At that sametime great martyers like V.O.C Subramonia
Siva and like leaders were arrested and imprioned.
 Hearing the atrocities suffered by the people in prison
Vachinathan wanted to eliminate Governor Ash who
was responsible for the prison sufferings.
 The plot to murder Ash was drawn.
 All the particulars about him were collected.
 It was decided to kill Ash secretely by a group of
Bharathamatha Organisation consisted of Madaswamy
pillai, Arumugam Pillai, Neelakanda Vachinathan took
up the responsibility of killing Ash.

27.  On the 17 June 1911 Saturday Ash began his travel in a
first class compartment from Tirunelveli junction.
 When the train had reached Maniachi, Vachinathan
got into the compartment with a hidden revolver.
 The three bullet shots by Vachinathan-ended the life of
Ash.
 Exalted highly with the satisfaction that he had
finished his duty successfully.
 He was very much supported Varnaashrama Dharma.
 Vachinathan shot himself to death, before he was taken
under custody.

28. SUBRAMANIA SIVA
 Father – Rajam Ayyar
 Mother – Nagammal
 He was born in 14th
October 1884 at
Vattalakudu in Madurai
district.
 He plunged deeply into
politics together with
V.O.C.

29.  He had revolted against the English in 1908 he was arrested and
sent to prison for ten years.
 He compelled to wear woollen cloths in prison and he was
affected with leprosy.
 Through these news papers he made known to the people the
defects and suppressive attitude of English Government.
 He gathered the youngsters to revolt against the government
and to conduct strike in factories.
 He started an Ashram known to be “Sri Bharatha Ashram’’ at
Karaikudi in 1921 with a view to develop a sense of sacrifice
among the people.
 The he joined Gandhiji in his non-cooperation movement and
suffered two years imprisonment.
 After his release from prison he died in the year 1925.

30. ANNIE BESANT
 Annie Besant was a Irish
lady.
 She established “Home
Rule Movement”.
 Though it was
established in 1915, it was
legalised and introduced
in Madras in 1916.

31.  She started two newspapers The Commonweal and New
India kindled the people about the spirit of Nationalism.
 To restrict the working of this newspaper the Governor of
Madras Pentland ordered Annie Besant to remit Rs.20000
as security deposit in June 1916.
 Deeply upset by the growth of the Home Rule Movement
the State Government requested the central government to
take drastic steps against this movement.
 Pentland passed an order to increase the security deposit
of the news paper “New India” to rupees 40000 in 1917.
 Annie Besant and members of this organisation were
arrested imprisoned.
 Later Annie Besant was released.

32. RAJAJI
Rajaji was elected
as the leader of
Tamilnadu
congress.
He worked
together with
Gandhiji.

33.  Rajaji who became the leader of the Madras state congress
tried his level best to bring about non co-operation
movement (1921-23), started by Gandhiji.
 Rajaji, E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker, V.O.C and Satyamurthi
tried whole heartedly for the success of this non-
cooperation movement.
 To give more strength to this movement, the leaders
instructed the people to adopt Satyagraha and to boycott
foreign good.
 Courts schools administrative councils and labour
organisation.
 In support of this movements, students boycotted schools
and colleges and indulged themselves in strikes.They
forced the closusren of shops against the rules.
 With the destruction of government properties in certain
places, there prevailed riots throughout tamilnadu.

34. Failure of Non-Cooperation
Movement
 Difference between Congress and Justice Party.
 In Tamilland leaders like Rajaji, E.V.R and
Ramanathan were arrested.
 This led to the weakening of this movement in
Tamilland.
 The supramacy of the English in politics and the
domination of Brahmin in the society deprived the
majority of the people in society.
 Especially the justice party severely criticized the high
handedness of the Brahmins.

35. SALT SATYAGRAHA 1930
 In Tamilnadu was concerned leaders like Kamaraj and
Rajaji and other number of disciples took part in Civil
Disobedience movement.
 Rajaji started from Tiruchi district to Vedaranyam and
launched the struggle on March 13, 1930.
 Thousands took part in it.
 They prepared salt by violating the rules.
 These patriots were arrested by the government.
 People were involved in unlawful activities,
 Such revolts took place in many places like Vellore,
Kudiyatham and Tripur.

36.  Police used lathy charge to disperse the crowd.
 As a result of this merciless attack of the government,
Tirpur Kumaran and Sundaram died on 1932.
 Kumaran respected and honoured the national flag.
 It is said that at the last movement of his breath
Thirupur Kumaran held national flag in his hand
and uttered Vandey Madaram.
 Hence history mentioned him as “Kodikaatha
Kumaran”.

38. QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT (1942)
 This resolution passed in the year 1942 in regarding
this resolution demanding complete freedom to
India.
 This resolution was passed in the Congress
Committee partaken by Gandhiji in 1942 to have a
large struggle.
 The leaders like Gandhiji were arrested.
 In tamilnand leaders like Kamaraj and Prakasam
gathered people towards the victory of this
movement.
 In Madras, extremism strengthened day-by-day
city was paralysed.

39.  This movement was spread in Coimbatore also.
 Factories were closed.
 The liquor shops were closed in Coimbatore.
 Government office were picketed.
 Police station were destroyed.
 The similar activities took place in North Arcot,
South Arcot and Chingelpet.
 The movement got momentum in Madurai,
Ramnad, Salem, Tirunelveli.

40. DRAVIDIAN MOVEMENT
JUSTICE PARTY AND SELF-RESPECT
MOVEMENT
 Political supremacy of Brahmins
 Lived in Agraharams and Chadurvedimangalams.
 Enjoyed political and social privileges.
 To get rid of the social evils that existed among the
unprivileged socalled
untouchables;Nadars,Kuravars,Paravar etc. and to
reduce supremacy of Brahmins in Tamilnadu several
organisation especially “South Indian Liberal
Federation” (S.I.L.F) were started in Tamilnadu.

41.  Attempts were made to organise to bring all the
disunited non-bramins to a common platform to fight
against injustice.
 It was pioneered by Dr.C.Natesamudaliyar.
 For this purpose, he started an organisation called “
Madras Dravidian Association' in 1912.
 He acted as the secretar of that organisatio for a long
time.
 He stressed the necessity of regular hostels for the
non-bramin students so they might have quality
education.
 Hence he started a hostel in 1919 known to be
“Dravidian Society Hostel”.

42.  More over, Dr.Natesa Mudaliyar tried to bring about co-
operation among the leaders who cared for the uplift of the
backward people.
 Particularly he tried to bring together two stalwarts:
Dr.Nair and P.Thyagaraja Chettiyar who had deep interest
in Madras state politics and social changes.
 Dr.Nair expressed the necessy of the co-operation of all
non-brahmins forgetting their differences of opinion.
 As a result of this P.Thyagaraja Chettiyar organised South
India Liberal Federation with Thirty non-brahmins at the
Victoria hall in Madras on November 26,1916.
 The aim of the organisation was to promte the political
interest of non-brahmin caste Hindus.

43.  This organisation passed innumerable resoultion for the benefit of
the backward people.
 The most significant of them was to create political awarness
among the ordinary people.
 This organisation resolved to publish three dailies,Dravidian in
Tamil,Andhra praksika in Telugu and Jutice in English.
 Under the registration 'South India People's Society limited.'
 T.M.Nair served as the editor of the political newspaper “Justice”.
 The Justice issue of the English daily edited by Dr.Nair was
published by February 1917.
 This news paper became very popular among the people.
 South Indian Liberal Federation was renamed after this newspaper
as Justice party.
 This party worked hard and demanded for the freedom,qual jutice
and equal opportunities for all the non-brahmins.

44. The reason for the advent of the Justice
Party
The political influence of the Brahmins
The activities and growth of Jutice Party
Meston Proclamation
The electoral roll started in 1918 for the election to be
conducted in 1920.
The roll to be prepared on the basis of castes and
communities.
But it was rejected by the electoral committee.
Rejected by V.S.S.Srinivasa Sastri and S.N.Banerji
Justice party not to accept the recommendations of the
committee.

45.  The committee meeting held in London all the parties sent their
representatives.
 The unexpected death of T.M.Nair made K.V.Reddy the leader of the
representatives.
 He explained the racial conflict found in Tamilland and requested the
committee to prepare the electoral on the basis of caste and community.
 After hearing the requests of all representatives Lord Wellington offord
50% of seats to Justice party.
 But the party demanded 75% of the seats on the basis of population.
 Finally the meston electoral committee submitted its report to the
ggovernement.
 More representations were given to backward people and more people
were given voting rights as per the above report.
 The Justice party accepted this report and made prepartions for the
ensuing election.
 However, the report gave satisfaction to the Justice party and it explained
this report as the “Meston Award”.

46. The Justic party in the
administration
 The election took place in 1920.
 As this report dissatisfied the congress party, they did not
compete in the election.
 With the view to remove the supremacy of the Brahns and
obtain necessary concessions from the government the Justice
party decided to give co-operation to the English and
contested in the election.
 Granting victory in 63 seats out of 98 seats, the Jutice party
formed the government.
 Lord Wellington appointed Subbarayalu Reddiyar as the
Chief Minister of Taminadu in December 1920.

47.  Obtaining great support of the people during their three years
of administration, the Justice party contested again in 1923
election.
 The party got 48 seats out of 98 seats.
 The party came to power for the second time in Tamilnadu
with T.N.Sivagnanam pillai as Chief Minister, who as a retired
R.D.O served as the president of the Tirunelveli destrict
board.
 But in 1926 election the Justice party met with the utter
failure.
 This happened due to the internal conflict of the party and
the withdrawal of the support of Adhidravidas and Muslims.

48. Contribution of the Indian Christians to the
Freedom Struggle
A few leaders from the Christian
community took a leading role in
the freedom movement.

49. Organizations and parties founded by the Christians for
the struggle
 A few organizations were established on behalf of the
Christians to fight against the yoke of the foreign rule.
Swadeshi Prachara Sabha was started by V. Charkarai
in Madras.
 It is to be noted that Kanata Indian Christian Civil
League founded in 1925, Nationalist Christian Party
and National Missionary Society of India and National
Church in Madras along with the Congress movement
either organized demonstrations, or participated in all
struggles at the national level.

50. Motivated by the National Movement, JP
Rodriquez a Catholic leader from Tamil Nadu,
galvanized the youth groups in his locality
( Tuticorin, in Southern Tamil Nadu) and he
succeeded with the assistance of Valerian Fernando
a catholic from the same locality.
Having formed “National Christian Volunteers
Army” to fight against the British imperialism,
vibrant and zealous Rodriquez and Valerian went
even to Sri Lanka to recruit youth for the army.

51. THROUGH THE PRESS
 George Joseph a Christian leader from Madras presidency
served on the editorial board for the journal Satyagrahi which
was started on 14th April 1919 in Chennai. When he went to
Allahabad he was asked to be the editor of journal Independent
which was published by Motilal Nehru in 1921.
 He was arrested for participating in the non-co-operation
movement and sent to jail at Nainidal.
 It was he who took up the responsibility of editing Young India
after Rajaji in 1923.
 As a talented writer who could put forth arguments powerfully,
George Joseph kept up the standard of the publication and thus
reaching out to intellectuals and youth especially students.

53.  Another eminent intellectual who contributed much to
the freedom struggle at the national level is Joseph
Cornelius Kumarappa (JC Kumarappa).
 Gandhiji had developed close links and keenly noted his
articulation of thoughts especially through his economic
policies. Much of these were incorporated by Gandhiji in
his formulations.
 (Gandhiji himself refers JC Kumarappa often in his own
writings) When Gandhi came to know about Joseph
Cornelius Kumarappa’s intellectual calibre, clarity on
issues, erudition, scholarship and lucid style
formulation of policies above all his sincere
commitment towards the noble cause for the motherland
his eyes fixed on J C Kumarapa as the editor for the
journal Young India.

54.  JP Rodriquez started a journal “Suthanthira
Veeran” (Soldier for Freedom) in Tamil to conscientize
and the youth and attract them towards the
movement. It was popular for a few years among the
Tamils in south. Along with JP Rodriquez, Valerian
Fernando went to Sri Lanka to mobilize the youth for
the “National Christian Volunteers Army”.
 Pandit Nehru paid tribute to his valour and
patriotism. In 1941 he was arrested and imposed
rigorous imprisonment for his participation in
individual satyagraha. His famous saying was, “ I will
fight for the liberation of my motherland till the
last drop of blood in my body”.

55. In the Indian National Army
 A few more names can be mentioned here as that of
Abraham of Ariyalur, S. A, Adaikalam of
Aranthangi, Amirtham of Tiruchirappalli,
Antony of Nagapattinam, Arulanandam of
Manamadurai, Antony Doss of Madras and
others who served as sepoys in INA.

56. E.V.R SELF RESPECT MOVEMENT
 With the fall of Justice party, once again the supremacy of
the Brahmins flourished.
 Just to protect the tamil people and tamil language E.V.R
started a movement by which the supremacy of the
Brahmins must be subdued and awakening must be
created among the illiterate Dravidians who lived in the
land like slaves.
 Their awakening must be towards self-respect through
socio-religious awareness.

57. Self Respect Movement 1925
 After leaving the congress party,E.V.R did not start a
new movement immediately then E.V.R having great
popularity among the people was invited by the
leaders of the Justice party to join them.
 Being a sincere patriot E.V.R expected congress party
to change its attitude for the welfare of the society.
 Acting quite contrary to this expectations congress
merged into a political movement.
 Having lost the confidence he had in the Congress
party.
 E.V.R started a new movement in 1925, known to be
'Self -respect Movement”.

58.  Constituted for the uplift of the common people self-
respect movement had become a freedom movement.
 The main aim of this movement was to create self
confidence and advanced thinking among the people.
 To achieve this goal, this movement insisted on the
renaissance of Tamil language and opposition to Brahmin
Supremacy.
 E.V.R expected socio-political awareness among the
downtrodden people through this movement.
 As it had attracted the common people very much,it spread
slowly and steadly throughout Tamil land within a short
period.

59. The doctrines of Self Respect
Movement
 The doctrines of this movement found expression in the
speeches of E.V.R to the people between 1926 and 1973.
 This movement insisted self respect, opposed the supremacy
of Brahmins and instigated people against it.
 The self -respect of E.V.R based on some aims and principles
was registered legally in 1925.
 The principal aim of this movement was to create awakening
among the illiterate rightless people who were under the
clutches of highcastes.
 The movement was very particular about bringing in the life of
people self-respect through self-thinking and relief from
slavery.

60.  The unnecessary ritulas and superstitions, followed by the
Hindu religion were severely opposed by this movement.
 Opposing the existing defective social system, this movement
requested the governement to give equal rights to all the
people.
 Trying to remove the low status in society, this movement
insisted on equal right to women like that of men.
 It wanted to bring about changes in the marriagae system and
severely criticised and opposed child marriage.
 Moreover, it encouraged love marriage, intercast marriage and
re-marriage of widows.
 This movement also demanded the government to register
these marriage in the registrar's office under the civil law.

61. Spreading of the Doctrines
 The doctrines of the self respect movement were spread among the
people through public meetings and dramas held by E.V.R.
 For this purpose he toured the country frequently.
 News papers were published to add to its effect.
 His public meetings at Madurai,Chengalpattu and Virudhunagar were
of great historical importance.
 In these meetings, resoultions were passed against untochability,caste
system and capitalism.
 Awakened by the inspiring doctrines of E.V.R countless Hindus,
Christians and Muslims participated in the public meetings and
conferences held by him.

62.  Many books containing advanced thinking were ublished by
him.
 So many organisations were constituted by this movement
against caste atrocities and religious supertitious.
 Among them 'Superstitution Eradication Conference' held at
Salem in 1971 was of great importance.
 In the procession in connection with the conference the idols
of gods were carried and cowdung and chappals were thrown
on them.
 Though he was arrested several time for such activities, he
opposed and fought against social maladies courageously and
with iron determination.

63. Moovalur Ramamirtham

64. Moovalur Ramamirtham
 Moovalur Ramamirtham (Tamil: மூவலூர்
ராமாமிர்தம்) (1883–1962) was a Tamil social
reformer, author, and political activist of the Dravidian
Movement, who worked for the abolition of the
Devadasi system in the Madras Presidency

65.  She was born in Thiruvarur, and was brought up at moovalur
a village near mayiladhuthurai.
 Hence she was called commonly known as moovalur
ramamirtham ammaiyar.
 She was the author of the 1936 novel Dasigalin Mosavalai
alladhu madhi pettra minor (lit. Devadasis' web of deceit or
the minor grown wise) which exposed the plight of the
devadasis.
 Originally a supporter of the nationalist Indian National
Congress, she became a member of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's
Self-Respect Movement after Periyar left the Congress in
1925.
 In 1930, she supported Muthulakshmi Reddi's failed attempt
to abolish the Devadasi system in the Presidency through
legislation.

66.  She took part in the Anti-Hindi agitations of 1937-40
and in November 1938, was jailed for six weeks for
participating in the agitations.
 The public awareness created by her novel and her
continuous campaign to abolish the devadasi system,
were instrumental in the passage of the Madras
Devadasi (Prevention of Dedication) Act or the
Devadasi Abolition Bill, which outlawed the practice
in 1947.

67.  In 1949, she parted ways with Periyar, when he married
Maniammai, a woman much younger than he was.
 She became a supporter of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(DMK), a new party started by Periyar's protégé C. N.
Annadurai.
 She remained a DMK supporter till her death in 1962.
 In her memory, the Government of Tamil Nadu has instituted
the "Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammal Ninaivu Marriage
Assistance Scheme" - a social welfare scheme to provide
financial assistance to poor women.
 She was married to Suyambu Pillai an accomplished
musician.
 She had two sons and a daughter.

68.  Unfortunately the first husband, son and the daughter
died at very early age.
 This shock converted her to atheism.
 She lost faith and belief in god and became a follower
of Periyar. Her surviving son Chellappa was settled in
mayuram.
 Married to Rajapadmavathy he had two sons (Selvaraj
and Mohan) and two daughters (Vimala and Mallika);
settled in Chennai.

69. Annai Meenambal Shivaraj

70.  Annai Meenambal Shivaraj (Tamil: அன்னன
மீனாம்பாள் சிவராஜ்) (26 December 1904 – 30
November 1992) was the first Scheduled Caste women
president of the South India Scheduled Castes
Federation (SCF).
 She presided over the SCF Women's Conference held
at Madras, in 1944, which was attended by B. R.
Ambedkar.
 She also presided over the All India SCF Women's
Conference held at Bombay, on 6 May 1945.

71.  She was also one of the radical feminist leaders of the
Self-Respect Movement.
 It was Annai Meenambal who gave E.V.R Ramasamy
the title he has now come to be known by – “Periyar”
(The Great One) in the conference in Madras Periyar
on hearing this title is said to have laughed and
accepted it as a sister's gift.
 In 1937, Meenambal Sivaraj presided over the
Tinnelveli District Third Adi Dravida Conference.

73. RAJAJI
Early Days
 Rajagopalachariyar, popularly known as Rajaji was born in
village Thorappalli near osur in Salem district as the third
son of Nallaan Chakkaravarthi Iyyangar and
Chinkarammal on 10th December, 1878.
 After becoming a law graduate in 1898, he began his
career as an advocate in Salme by 1900.
 He became popular in his profession.

74.  Within a short period by his participation in several organisations he
achieved a name for himself.
 When he had involved himself completely in the freedom struggle he
was forced to forego his profession which fetched him high income.
 He represented tamilnadu in the congress conference held at Calcutta
in 1906.
 He met Mahakavi Bharathiyar, who was a great patriot of freedom
struggle with his inspiring songs,at Puducheery in 1910.
 He was the chairman of Salem municipality between the period 1917-
1919.
 Having attracted by extremist principles of Tilak, he became an
extremist in the begining.
 Then attracted by the non-violent principles of Gandhiji he offered his
whole hearted support to non-cooperation movement in 1920.

75. The election of 1937 and his chief-ministership
 Throughly dissatisfied by the activities of Justice
party,people elected congress party with a majority in the
legislative assembly election in 1937.
 Becoming the chief minister of Tamilnadu, on behalf of the
congress party, Rajaji brought about several reforms towards
the welfare of the people.

76. Welfare committee for the peasants
 When congress party came to power in Tamilnadu majority of
the lands were owned by landlords.
 Having high socio political influence, these landlords used
landless peasants to cultivate this land.
 The condition of the peasants were miserable as they were
treated as slaves and given very small remuneration.
 To reorganise the life of these miserable peasants who lived in
the manor land of landlords, Rajaji constitiuted a committee.
 The committee under T.Prakasam, the finance minister visited
the manor land, studied the condition of the pesants and
submitted a report to the government.

77.  Just at this movement, the second world war broke out.
 As India was involved in the war without concurnance of
India leaders, Rajaji's ministry resigned in 1939, as per the
decision of the headquarters.
 Hence Rajaji was unable to pass any act towards the
welfare of the peasants on the basis of the report submitted
to the government.

78. Steps against untouchability
 Though Rajaji belonged to Brahmin community, he
vehemently protested the caste difference.
 The removal of untouchability was not only patronised but
also executed by him.
 He admitted his son in the college where low caste students
were studying.
 When he was the chairman of Salem municipality, he engaged
a scheduled caste to open the water supply scheme.
 He appointed low caste people to work in the college hostels.

79.  Further more, he invited some members of the
downtrodden people to his house and gave them
samabanthi feast.
 Encouraging the inter-caste marriage, he gave his daughter
in marriage to Devadhas Gandhi who belonged to Gujarat
Paniya caste.
 Low caste people were deprived of entry into temple till
Rajaji came to power.
 But Rajaji gave entry to the low castes of Tamil land just
as it has taken place at Cochin and Tranvancore.

80. Riot against Hindi
 Assuming the power in Tamilnadu, he made Hindi compulsory in schools
because he felt learning Hindi was good to all people.
 This was opposed by D.K. under the leadership of E.V.R.
 Thousands of students and common people participated in this struggle and
opposed the government of Rajaji.
 Predicting Hindi as the language of Brahmins, the members D.K held
procession and conferences against Hindi.
 The conference at Salem was significant among them.
 Severe steps including firing were taken to suppress the riot, two died of
firing.
 Thousand and two hundred people including E.V.R were arrested.
 Still the struggle continued till the resignation of Rajaji's ministry on 29th
October, 1939.
 Governor James Hope who took up the administration of Tamilnadu not only
released all the prisoners of the struggle and thus established peace in
Tamilndu.

81. Becoming the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu
again
 In the assembly election held in 1952, congress could not get
majority on its own.
 Desiring to form the ministry with the help of some
independent members, the congress sought the help of Rajaji
and offered him the Chief Ministership.
 Rajaji gracefully accepted the invitation of Kamaraj and
Kumaraswamiraja and became the Chief Minister of
Tamilnadu for the second time.
 Inspite of the internal and external opposition to his Ministry
several reforms were implemented by Rajaji's Ministry.

82. New Educational Policy
 Aspiring to bring about changes in the field of education.
 Rajaji introduced shift system in the educational institutions in were
expected to learn some work in the after-noon.
 Those who learned their lessons in the after noon session were
expected to do some work in the fore noon.
 Rajaji anticipated the learning of traditional works by the students from
their parents, thereby abolition of unemployment problem.
 Not realising the real effect of this system, a storm of opposition
arouse in Tamil land against the new edcational policy.
 The opposition party vehemently criticised this scheme as “Caste
oriented” educational scheme.
 This opposition threw Rajaji out of power.

83. Rajaji Resignation
 Rajaji progressive thinking created internal conflict in
the party.
 Kamaraj too protested the reforms of Rajaji.
 This led to the diffrence of opinion between Rajaji and
Kamaraj and hence Rajaji resigned his chief
ministership on April 13, 1954.
 The very next day Kamaraj assumed power as the chief
minister of Tamilnadu.