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A. Subbarayalu Reddiar

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At the end of November 1920, the first general elections were held to the Madras Legislative Assembly as per the Montford Reforms.[1] The Indian National Congress, a part of its policy during the Non-Cooperation Movement boycotted the elections.[1] As a result, the Justice Party swept to power winning 63 of the 98 Assembly seats to which elections were conducted.[1] Among the nominated members, it had a strength of 18 adding up to a total of 81 members in a chamber of 127.[1]

Following the success of the Justice Party in the 1920 elections, Lord Willingdon invited Sir Theagaroya Chetty to form the Government.[2] However, he passed on the mantle to Subbarayalu Reddiar.[3] Subbarayalu Reddiar assumed office as Chief Minister on December 17, 1920 and held the portfolios of education, public works, excise and registration in the new government.[3] The first session of the assembly was inaugurated by Duke of Connaught on January 13, 1921.[4] On February 14, 1921, three new Council Secretaries were appointed by the Justice party Government. However, Subbarayalu Reddiar resigned soon afterwards on grounds of health.[3]

Subbarayalu Reddiar's Cabinet
Portfolio Minister
Education, Excise and Public works A. Subbarayalu Reddiar (Also Chief Minister)
Local Self-Government Panaganti Ramarayaningar
Development Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu
Source: Encyclopaedia of Political Parties

Raja of Panagal

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Ramarayaningar served as the Chief Minister of Madras from July 11, 1921 till December 3, 1926.[3] A. P. Patro of Berhampur was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Subbarayalu Reddiar's resignation, and he took the portfolio of education.[3]

Ramarayaningar's Cabinet
Portfolio Minister
Local Self-Government Panaganti Ramarayaningar (later Raja of Panagal) (Chief Minister) (1921-1926)
Education, Excise and Public works Annepu Parasuramdas Patro (1921-1926)
Development Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu (1921-1923)
Tinnevely Nelliappa Sivagnanam Pillai (1923-1926)
Source: Encyclopaedia of Political Parties

Second general elections

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Polling for the second general elections in the Madras Presidency began on September 11 1923.[5] However, owing to heavy rains, polling was not completed until November 10.[5] Though the Justice Party returned to power, its majority had been considerably reduced.[6] Observers attribute this decline in performance to the rift between the Tamil and Telugu members of the Justice party.[5] Ramarayaningar assumed office as Chief Minister on November 19 1923 and retained the same Cabinet with one change -- K. V. Reddi Naidu, the Minister of Development was replaced with T. N. Sivagnanam Pillai.[6]

No-confidence motion

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In 1923, a few prominent members of the Justice Party broke off to form the United Nationalist Party and projected themselves as "Democrats".[7] The dissidents were lead by C. R. Reddy, a leader of the Justice Party.[8][9][7] On November 27 1923, a no-confidence motion was passed against the government of the Raja of Panagal.[8][7] The no-confidence motion was defeated by a margin of 65 votes to 44.[10]

Reforms

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Ramarayaningar introduced a number of reforms during his tenure as Chief Minister.[11]

Hindu Religious Endowments Bill

In 1921, the Raja of Panagal introduced the Hindu Religious Endowments Bill.[12] As per this bill, trusts were established to maintain temple funds and given complete power over the administration of temples.[12] This act evoked severe protests from some sections of the assembly which felt that this was an intrusion in the religious affairs of the populace.[12]However, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi gave his support to the bill even while expressing his concern over some of its provisions.[13]

Madras State Aid to Industries Act

In 1922, the Madras State Aid to Industries Act was passed. Through this act, the government made it a state policy to advance loans to developing industries.[12] It received less opposition in the assembly. This eventually became Madras Act V of 1923.

Educational reforms

The Madras University Act was passed in the year 1923. The bill was introduced by Education Minister Sir A. P. Patro.[14][15] As per the provisions of this bill, the governing body of the Madras University was completely reorganized on democratic lines. The bill asserted that the governing body would henceforth be headed by a Chancellor who would be assisted by a pro-Chancellor who was usually the Minister of Education. Apart from the Chancellor and the pro-Chancellor who were elected, there was to be a Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Chancellor.[14] In 1925, the Andhra University Act was passed which included similar reforms in Andhra University.[14]

However, the tenure of the Justice Party government of the Raja of Panagal is largely remembered for the introduction of caste-based reservations in 1921.[16][15] In August 1921, the First communal Government Order (G.O. No.613[17]) was passed.[16] As per the order, 44 percent of jobs were reserved for non-Brahmins, 16 percent for Brahmins, 16 percent for Muslims, 16 percent for Anglo-Indians and Christians and eight percent for the Scheduled Castes.[17]

In 1923, M. C. Rajah, a Justice Party leader from the Dalit community protested against the government order arguing that the act did not guarantee adequate representation of Dalits who he felt deserved 30% reservation in the administration and the services. When the Justice Party failed to respond, he resigned from the primary membership of the party.[18][19]

Dr. Gour's Bill

Dr. Gour's Bill, introduced in 1921, brought about an amendment in the Special Marriages Act, sanctioning the legal validity of inter-caste marriages.[20]

Municipal development
Map of Madras city in 1921, before the draining of Long Tank
Madras city in 1955, after Long Tank had been drained out

The rapid growth of the population of Madras necessitated the expansion of the city and the creation of more residential colonies. In order to fulfill this requirement, the Madras Town Planning Act of 1920 had been passed on September 7, 1920 before the dyarchy was established.[21] As per the provisions of this Act, numerous town planning measures were taken during the tenure of the Raja of Panagal. The five kilometer long and two kilometer broad Long Tank, which extended from Nungambakkam to Saidapet, forming an arc along the city's western frontier, was drained out in 1923.[22] The development of the tract to the west of the Long Tank had been initiated by the British Government in 1911 with the construction of a railway station at the village of Marmalan or Mambalam.[22] Following the draining out of the Long Tank, the Justice Party government of the Raja of Panagal conceived the creation of a residential colony adjoining this little village.[22]

The residential colony was named Theagaroya Nagar after Justice Party stalwart Sir Pitti Theagaroya Chetty, who had died shortly before the township was inaugurated, and was centred around a park named Panagal Park after the Raja of Panagal.[22] The streets in this new locality were named after prominent members of the Justice Party or officials in the municipal administration as Mr. Boag and Mr. Burkitt.[22]

Other reforms

The Raja of Panagal reorganised the Public Works Department in the Presidency, improved medical facilities, water supply and communications in rural areas and patronized Siddha medicine. Sir Muhammed Usman, later minister in the government of the Raja of Bobbili was appointed Secretary of the Committee on siddha medicine. [23] He also sponsored endowments to the University of Madras to produce scientific literature in Telugu. [24]

P. Subbarayan

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In the Assembly elections which took place on November 8, 1926, no party was able to get a clean majority.[25] The Swarajya Party won 41 of the 98 seats and emerged as the single largest party while the Justice party won 21.[25] It was a setback for the Justice Party and its incumbent Chief Minister, the Raja of Panagal. However, none of the parties could form the Government as they did not have a clean majority.

The Governor invited the Swarajya Party to take the lead in forming a coalition government but the latter refused.[25] The Justice Party did not have enough seats. Hence, the Governor chose Subbarayan, who was not affiliated to either of these parties, to form the Government and nominated 34 new members to the Madras Legislative Council to support him.[26][27] An independent ministry was formed with A. Ranganatha Mudaliar and R. N. Arogyaswamy Mudaliar as the second and third ministers. The Justice Party took the place of an opposition.[28]

Subbarayan's Cabinet
Portfolio Minister
Education, Local Self-Government P. Subbarayan (Also Chief Minister) (1926-1930)
Public health, excise A. Ranganatha Mudaliar (1926-1928)
S. Muthiah Mudaliar (1928-1930)
Development R. N. Arogyasamy Mudaliar (1926-1928)
M. R. Sethuratnam Iyer (1928-1930)
Source: Encyclopaedia of Political Parties

Because of the fact that Subbarayan's regime was appointed and largely controlled by the Governor, it became the target of strong criticism both from the Justicites as well as the Swarajists.[28] In March 1927, P. Munuswamy Naidu of the Justice Party passed a motion recommending salary cuts for Government ministers. However, they were defeated by a margin of 41 votes.[28] A no-confidence motion was passed on August 23,1927, but was defeated 56 to 67 with the support of the Governor and the members nominated by him. [29]

The Simon Commission was appointed by the British Parliament in 1927 to report on the working of the progress of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.[29] The Swarajya Party moved a resolution to boycott the Commission and this was passed 61 to 50 with 12 remaining neutral.[30] Subbarayan opposed the resolution but his cabinet ministers Ranganatha Mudaliar and Arogyaswamy Mudaliar supported it.[30] Subbarayan resigned as Chief Mnister, but at the same time, he also compelled his ministers to submit their resignations.[30] Fearing the possibility of the formation of a Swarajya Party-Justice Party coalition Government, the Governor stepped in to foster discord amongst the opposition. In order to obtain the support of the Raja of Panagal,he appointed Krishnan Nair, a leading member of the Justice Party as his Law Member.[30] Lead by the Raja of Panagal, the Justice Party switched sides and lent its support to the Subbarayan government. Soon afterwards, the Justice Party passed a resolution welcoming the Simon Commission.[31] The Simon Commission visited Madras on February 28,1928[31] and February 18,1929[32] and was boycotted by the Swarajya Party and the Indian National Congress. However, the Justicites and the Subbarayan Government accorded the Commission a warm reception.[32]

In the 1930 elections, due to the non-participation of the Indian National Congress and the Swarajya Party, the Justice Party won an overwhelming majority and was voted to power. Subbarayan was succeeded as Chief Minister by Munuswamy Naidu.[33]

Reforms

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The Raja of Panagal government had introduced the Communal Government Order (G. O. No. 613) in 1921 which introduced reservations in the Presidency.[17] However, the provisions of this act were not implemented till 1927. The Subbarayan government, therefore, introduced the Communal G. O. Ms No. 1021 to implement the 1921 order.[17][16][34] The act was introduced by S. Muthiah Mudaliar, the Education Minister in Subbarayan's cabinet on April 11,1927.[16] This act, it is believed, introduced provisions for reservations for Dalits and increased representation for Indian Christians and Muslims.[18]At the same time, it reduced the reservations for Brahmins from 22% to 16% and non-Brahmins from 48% to 42%.[18] This act was in effect till India's independence on August 15, 1947.

Subbarayan introduced the Madras District Municipalities Act and Local Boards Act during his tenure.[34] The Annamalai University, founded by Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar was opened by Subbarayan in Chettinad in 1929.[35] The Annamalai University is the first residential university in Madras Presidency.[35]

Bollini Munuswamy Naidu

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Munuswamy Naidu took office as Chief Minister on October 27,1930 and served till November 4, 1932[36][37] Munuswamy Naidu's tenure as Chief Minister was afflicted by controversies.[38] He assumed the Chief Ministership at a critical juncture. The Great Depression was at its height and the economy was crumbling. Moreover, the southern districts of the Presidency had been afflicted by floods.[38] The government was, therefore, compelled to increase the land tax in order to compensate for the fall in prices.[38]

Munuswamy Naidu's Cabinet
Portfolio Minister
Local Self-Government P. Munuswamy Naidu (Also Chief Minister)
Public Works P. T. Rajan
Education, excise S. Kumaraswami Reddiar
Source: Encyclopaedia of Political Parties

Soon after Munuswamy Naidu formed the government, the Justice Party was torn apart by factionalism.[38] The Zamindars who had supported the Justice Party were disgruntled at the fact that two of the foremost landlords of the Presidency, the Raja of Bobbili and the Kumara Raja of Venkatagiri had not been included in the Cabinet.[38][39] Under the leadership of M. A. Muthiah Chettiar, the disgruntled Zamindars organized a "ginger group" in November 1930.[38][39]

This "ginger group" accused Munuswamy Naidu of having a soft corner for the Indian National Congress and Swarajists.[38] Moreover, Munuswamy Naidu was also close to N. G. Ranga, the leader of the Ministerialists who were opposed to the Zamindars.[40][41] When two of his ministers, P. T. Rajan and S. Kumaraswami Reddiar resigned their posts, Munuswamy Naidu began to fear a no-confidence motion.[38] He resigned before such a motion could be brought forth. Munuswamy Naidu was succeeded by the Raja of Bobbili as Chief Minister.[38]

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

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The Indian National Congress was elected to power in 1937 for the first time in Madras Presidency and barring the six years when Madras was in a state of Emergency, ruled the Presidency till India got independence on August 15, 1947.[42] Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the first Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from the Congress party.

Rajaji's Cabinet
Portfolio Minister
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (Also Chief Minister)
Revenue Tanguturi Prakasam
Law and Education Paramasiva Subbarayan
Labour and Industries Varahagiri Venkata Giri
Local Administration Bezawada Gopala Reddy
Public Health and Religious Endowments Tiruvengimalai Sesha Sundara Rajan
Public Works Maulana Yakub Hasan Sait

He issued the Temple Entry Authorization and Indemnity Act 1939 by which restrictions were removed on Dalits and Shanars entering Hindu temples.[43] In the same year, the Meenakshi temple at Madurai was opened to the people from the aforesaid communities. Rajaji also introduced prohibition[44] and sales tax in Madras Presidency to compensate for the loss of revenue due to prohibition.[45] To compensate for the losses arising due to prohibition, the Provincial Government had to shut down hundreds of government-run primary schools in the Presidency.[46] This measure, Rajaji's political opponents allege, deprived many low-caste and Dalit students of their education. Rajaji's opponents also assign casteist motives to the implementation of the Gandhi's Wardha scheme [47] in the educational institutions in the Presidency by the Congress Government.[46] However, his rule is largely remembered for compulsory introduction of Hindi in educational institutions which made him highly unpopular as a politician.[48] This measure sparked off widespread Anti-Hindi agitations even leading to violence in some places. Over 1,200 men, women and children were jailed for participating in these Anti-Hindi agitations.[49] Two agitators Thalamuthu and Natarasan lost their lives.[49] In 1940, the Congress ministers resigned protesting the declaration of war on Germany without their consent and the Governor took over the reins of the administration. The unpopular law was eventually repealed by the Governor of Madras on February 21, 1940.[49]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 180
  2. ^ Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 181
  3. ^ a b c d e Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 182
  4. ^ "Connaught well recived in Madras - Famine in several districts causes concern". The New York Times. January 15, 1921. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 183
  6. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 184
  7. ^ a b c Muthiah (October 25, 2004). "When the postman knocked". The Hindu. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "firstS." ignored (help)
  8. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 185
  9. ^ Rao, Narasimha (April 27, 2004). "Go-betweens left in the lurch". The Hindu. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 186
  11. ^ Rajaraman, P. (1988). The Justice Party: A Historical Perspective, 1916-37. Poompozhil Publishers. p. 269.
  12. ^ a b c d Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 73
  13. ^ Pujya Sri Mahaswamy Divya Charitram (PDF). Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. p. 48. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b c Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 74
  15. ^ a b Justice Party Golden Jubilee Souvenir. Justice Party. 1968. pp. xx.
  16. ^ a b c d Murugan, N. (October 9 2006). "RESERVATION (Part-2)". National. Retrieved 2008-05-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "reservations_history" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  17. ^ a b c d "Tamil Nadu swims against the tide". The Statesman. Retrieved 2008-05-19. Cite error: The named reference "Statesman" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  18. ^ a b c Jaffrelot, Christophe (2003). India's silent revolution: Rise of lower castes in North India. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 175. ISBN 1850656703, ISBN 9781850656708. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  19. ^ "THE SO CALLED OBCs:WHO ARE THE REAL PERPETRATORS OF CRIME AGAINST DALITS ?". Youth for Equality.
  20. ^ Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 75
  21. ^ "Madras Town Planning Act 1920". Kerala Institute of Local Administration. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  22. ^ a b c d e Varghese, Nina (August 29, 2006). "T.Nagar: Shop till you drop, and then shop some more". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 2008-10-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Rajaraman, P. (1988). The Justice Party: A Historical Perspective, 1916-37. Poompozhil Publishers. p. 242.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference Panagal_Biography was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ a b c Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 189
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference rajyasabha_bio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ "Kumaramangalam family's role in development remembered". The Hindu. October 17, 2004. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ a b c Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 190
  29. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 191
  30. ^ a b c d Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 192
  31. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 193
  32. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 194
  33. ^ Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 196
  34. ^ a b South Indian Celebrities, Pg 107
  35. ^ a b "About University". Annamalai University. Retrieved 2009-1-05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  36. ^ "Provinces of British India". World Statesmen. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  37. ^ "List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu". Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 197
  39. ^ a b Rajaraman, P. (1988). The Justice Party: A Historical Perspective, 1916-37. Poompozhil Publishers. p. 177.
  40. ^ Cite error: The named reference innaiah2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  41. ^ Innaiah, N. (1985). Charisma in Politics: A Special Study of Andhra Pradesh Politics. V. Komala. p. 47.
  42. ^ Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 199
  43. ^ Caste in Indian Politics, Pg 116
  44. ^ Rajagopalachari, Pg 149
  45. ^ "Rajaji, An Extraordinary Genius". freeindia.org.
  46. ^ a b "Biography of E. V. R. Periyar". Bharatidasan University. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  47. ^ "Wardha Scheme". Time Inc. September 5,1938. Retrieved 2008-10-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. ^ Kumar, P. C. Vinoj (September 10, 2003). "Anti-Hindi sentiments still alive in TN". Sify News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ a b c Ramaswamy, Sumathi (1997). Language Devotion in Tamil India, 1891–1970, Chapter 4. University of California.
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