Nadar Community contribution in August Revolution and the Kulasekarapttinam Rioting Case

The Nadar community which in the beginning of 20th Century was considered to be supporter of British Raj for raising their social status, however strongly supported Justice Party in the era between 1910 to 1930s for ensuring Social Justice. Later soon with the untiring work of Kamarajar in villages the Congress Movement picked up momentum in Tamilnadu in grass root level in th 1930s. In Virudhunagar town the Porayar Rao Bahadur T.Rathinasamy Nadar Library was used by people such as A.S.S.S.Sangarapandian Nadar to turn the Justice Party dominated nadar town of Virudhunagar to incline towards Congress Movement. In 1939, the Temple Entry Act was encacted and there was shift of support base of the Nadar community to Congress movement which favoured this Act in Assembly. In 1940, Kamarajar became the President of Congress Committee.

Kamarajar could not play a direct role in 1942 August Revolution as he had to undergo through hiding at Ranipet at Janab Mohammad Sunamon's premises at the supervision of Kalyanarama Aiyar. FOr August Revolution VIrudhunagar Municipality chaired by A.S.S.S.Sangarapandia Nadar condemned the Government. Hence the functioning of Municipality was stopped by Govt. Several other towns including Dindigul, Madurai, Ramanathapuram Municipalities and Panchayats followed the same. The South Tamilnadu especially the Nadar community dominated Theri villages near Thiruchendur, Arumuganeri, Kurumbur, Athoor, Udangudi became strongholds of Congress movement with 1942 August Revolution.

When the Mahatma Gandhiji called for August Revolution in 1942, there was a total support to this agitation in all the villages including MadhavanKurichi, Paramankurichi. Mass assembly fines were charged in Ariumuganeri, Kurumbur and near by places.

In Aalandhali the Telegraph cables were broaken down by the agitators. In MeiGnanapuram, the agitators attacked telegraph office. The village chuch bell was rung and the entire villagers started rushing out. The agitators ran away, but had a plan to loot the guns from the salt factory from Kulasekarpattinam realising the importance of guns from Meignanapuram incident.

On the particular night on 20th Spet, the agitating gang attacked the Salt factory at Kulasekarapattinam managed by British Raj with the appointed British officer Mr.W.Loane. The British officer who worked as a Salt Inspector was killed in the agitation. Even today the Cemetry memorial of the British salt officer Mr.W.Loane can be seen Kulasekarapattinam.

26 peopel majority belonging to Nadan community along with few other community members from Pillai, Yadava Konar, Parathavar were charge sheeted and tried in court.

The Malabar SPecial Police was used to destroy the various properties including Palm Gurs prepared and stored by Nadar community in Palm groves dominated Theri Forest villages including Thandavangadu, Kottangadu, Padugapathu, Thandupathu, Chettiapathu, Seerkaatchi, Sathankudiyiruppu, Kaalankudiyiruppu,

Later among those 26, two people Kasirajan alias Ramalinga Nadar and Rajagopalan were convicted with death penalty and others with different types of penalties. Much at a later stage, due to various appeals the two persons were condoned and let out in 1948.

Again in 1942, a strong voice was raised in Nadar Mahajana Sangam towards COngress Movement by P.R.Muthusamy Nadar and the annual conference of Nadar Mahajana Sangam was stopped till 1947 with the two factions in Sangam.