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| {{Short description|Indian politician and former First Minister of Madras Presidency (1892-1974)}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} | ||
| {{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}} | ||
| {{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| | honorific-prefix = |
| honorific-prefix = | ||
| | name = Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan | | name = Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan | ||
| | honorific-suffix = | | honorific-suffix = | ||
| | image = |
| image = PTRajan_at_Meenatchi_Amman_Temple_Kumbabisegam1.jpg | ||
| | caption = |
| caption = Rajan in 1934| image size = 200px | ||
| | order1 = Member of Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum | | order1 = Member of Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum | ||
| | term_start1 = 1952 | | term_start1 = 1952 | ||
| | term_end1 = 1957 | | term_end1 = 1957 | ||
| | governor1 = ],<br />] | | governor1 = ],<br />] | ||
| | 1blankname1 = First Minister | |||
| | |
| 1namedata1 = ],<br />] | ||
| | predecessor1 = | | predecessor1 = | ||
| | successor1 = | | successor1 = | ||
| | order2 = |
| order2 = 6th | ||
| | office2 = |
| office2 = First Minister of Madras Presidency | ||
| | term_start2 = 4 April 1936 | | term_start2 = 4 April 1936 | ||
| | term_end2 = 24 August 1936 | | term_end2 = 24 August 1936 | ||
| Line 23: | Line 25: | ||
| | predecessor2 = ] | | predecessor2 = ] | ||
| | successor2 = ] | | successor2 = ] | ||
| | birth_date = |
| birth_date = 22 April 1892 | ||
| | birth_place = ] | | birth_place = ], ], ] | ||
| | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1974|09|25|1892|04|12}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1974|09|25|1892|04|12}} | ||
| | death_place = ] | | death_place = ], ], ] | ||
| | nationality = ]n | | nationality = ]n | ||
| | party = ] | | party = ] | ||
| | religion = | |||
| | alma_mater = ], ],<br /> | | alma_mater = ], ],<br /> | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| | profession = ] | | profession = ] | ||
| | occupation = ] | | occupation = ] | ||
| | spouse = | | spouse = | ||
| | children = ] | | children = ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan''' ( |
'''Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan''' (22 April 1892 – 25 September 1974) was the ] from 4 April 1936, to 24 August 1936 (143 Days).<ref name="listofchiefministers1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_BrProvinces.htm#Madras|title=Provinces of British India|access-date=2008-10-20|publisher=World Statesmen}}</ref><ref name="listofchiefministers2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/tnassembly/cmlist-1920.htm|title=List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu|access-date=2008-10-20|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu}}</ref> He was also the last President of the Justice Party. P. T. Rajan was born in a Thondaimandala mudaliar family in Uthamapalayam. His ancestors were from Kanchipuram. He attended ] and later, Jesus College, Oxford. He graduated in history and law, and practiced as an advocate for some time before joining the Justice Party. | ||
| ⚫ | Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party candidate in 1920 and served as a legislator till his defeat in 1937. He held various offices such as the Minister of Public Works and then, the First Minister of Madras Presidency. From 1939 to 1944, Rajan supported Periyar but broke off and headed the rebel Justice Party till 1957. Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952 and served as a legislator from 1952 to 1957. He also served interim speaker of ] in 1952. Rajan died in 1974 at the age of 82. | ||
| P. T. Rajan was born in Uthamapalayam and educated at ] and Jesus College, Oxford. He graduated in history and law and practised as an advocate for some time before joining the Justice Party. | |||
| ⚫ | Rajan's son ] served as a minister of the ] and speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001. Rajan's grandson Dr. ] (son of ]) was the finance minister of Tamil Nadu and he is the Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services of Tamil Nadu. | ||
| ⚫ | Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party candidate in 1920 and served as a legislator till his defeat in 1937. He held various offices such as the Minister of Public Works and then, the |
||
| ⚫ | Rajan's son ] served as a minister of the ] and speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001. Rajan's grandson Dr. ] (son of ]) |
||
| == Early life == | == Early life == | ||
| Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan<ref name="southindiancelebp54">], Pg 54</ref> was born in 1892 in ]. He was educated at ],<ref name="timesofindiadir">{{cite book | title=The Times of India Directory and Year Book, Including Who's who| year=1977| publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co.| page=982}}</ref> ] and graduated in history <ref name="82nd_birthday_p237">{{cite book | title=Sir P. T. Rajan's Eighty Second Birthday Souvenir, 1973| last=Rajan| first=P. T.|author2=K. Paramasivam| year=1973| publisher=Justice Party| page=237}}</ref> from ], ]<ref name="timesofindiadir" /><ref name="cambridge">{{cite book | title=The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire| url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780521432115| url-access=registration| last=Marshall| first=Peter James| year=1996| publisher=Cambridge University| isbn=978-0-521-00254-7| page=}}</ref> in 1915.<ref name="oxfordcalendar">{{cite book | title=Oxford University Calendar| year=1927| publisher=University of Oxford| page=802}}</ref> He later studied law at the Inner Temple and was called to the Bar in 1917<ref name="timesofindiadir" /> and practised as an advocate<ref name="timesofindiadir" /><ref name="cambridge" /> before joining the ] in the early 1920s. | Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan<ref name="southindiancelebp54">], Pg 54</ref> was born in 1892 in ] and belonged to the ]<ref>{{cite book|title=South India|author=Christopher John Baker, D. A. Washbrook|publisher=Springer, 1976|page=174|quote=Similarly, the principal Kondaikatti-Thondamandala-Vellala association included among its leaders M. Subramania Mudaliar and his nephew P.T. Rajan from Madura, whom local political tactics had taken into the Justice Party.}}</ref> community. He was educated at ],<ref name="timesofindiadir">{{cite book | title=The Times of India Directory and Year Book, Including Who's who| year=1977| publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co.| page=982}}</ref> ] and graduated in history <ref name="82nd_birthday_p237">{{cite book | title=Sir P. T. Rajan's Eighty Second Birthday Souvenir, 1973| last=Rajan| first=P. T.|author2=K. Paramasivam| year=1973| publisher=Justice Party| page=237}}</ref> from ], ]<ref name="timesofindiadir" /><ref name="cambridge">{{cite book | title=The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire| url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780521432115| url-access=registration| last=Marshall| first=Peter James| year=1996| publisher=Cambridge University| isbn=978-0-521-00254-7| page=}}</ref> in 1915.<ref name="oxfordcalendar">{{cite book | title=Oxford University Calendar| year=1927| publisher=University of Oxford| page=802}}</ref> He later studied law at the Inner Temple and was called to the Bar in 1917<ref name="timesofindiadir" /> and practised as an advocate<ref name="timesofindiadir" /><ref name="cambridge" /> before joining the ] in the early 1920s. | ||
| == Political career == | == Political career == | ||
| Rajan stood as a Justice |
Rajan stood as a Justice party candidate in the 1920 elections and was elected as a member of the ]. He was also instrumental in getting ] nominated to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party nominee.<ref name="political_development_in_india">{{cite book | title=The Modernity of Tradition: Political Development in India| last=Rudolph| first=Susanne Hoeber| year=1984| publisher=University of Chicago| isbn=978-0-226-73137-7| page=48}}</ref> | ||
| === In government === | === In government === | ||
| In 1930, when the Justice Party returned to power after a gap of 4 years, Rajan was appointed Minister of Public Works. He served as a minister in the governments of ] and the ].<ref name="encyclopediapoliticalpartiesp150">], Pg 150</ref> On 4 April 1936, he succeeded the Raja of Bobbili as the |
In 1930, when the Justice Party returned to power after a gap of 4 years, Rajan was appointed Minister of Public Works. He served as a minister in the governments of ] and the ].<ref name="encyclopediapoliticalpartiesp150">], Pg 150</ref> On 4 April 1936, he succeeded the Raja of Bobbili as the First Minister of Madras Presidency and held the post till 24 August 1936, when the Raja of Bobbili once again became the First minister.<ref name="listofchiefministers2" /> He was knighted on 1 February 1937.<ref></ref> | ||
| In 1939, he joined ] and wholeheartedly supported his demand for secession from India.<ref name="georgejoseph">{{cite book | title=George Joseph, the Life and Times of a Kerala Christian Nationalist| last=Ghevergese Joseph| first=George| year=2003| publisher=Orient Blackswan| isbn=978-81-250-2495-8| page=231}}</ref> However, he broke off with a few others in 1944 when Periyar renamed the Justice Party as ] and converted the political party into a non-political social organization.<ref name="georgejoseph" /><ref name="encylopediaofdalits">{{cite book | title=Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India| last=Rajawat| first=Mamta| year=2005| publisher=Anmol Publications PVT Ltd| isbn=978-81-261-2084-0| page=245}}</ref><ref name="madrasdistrictgazetteer">{{cite book|title=Madras District Gazetteers|first=B. S.|last=Baliga|page=136|publisher=Government of Madras|year=1957}}</ref> | In 1939, he joined ] and wholeheartedly supported his demand for secession from India.<ref name="georgejoseph">{{cite book | title=George Joseph, the Life and Times of a Kerala Christian Nationalist| last=Ghevergese Joseph| first=George| year=2003| publisher=Orient Blackswan| isbn=978-81-250-2495-8| page=231}}</ref> However, he broke off with a few others in 1944 when Periyar renamed the Justice Party as ]. He was against the Principles of Periyar as Atheism and also since Periyar converted the political party into a non-political social organization.<ref name="georgejoseph" /><ref name="encylopediaofdalits">{{cite book | title=Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India| last=Rajawat| first=Mamta| year=2005| publisher=Anmol Publications PVT Ltd| isbn=978-81-261-2084-0| page=245}}</ref><ref name="madrasdistrictgazetteer">{{cite book|title=Madras District Gazetteers|first=B. S.|last=Baliga|page=136|publisher=Government of Madras|year=1957}}</ref> | ||
| === As President of Justice Party === | === As President of Justice Party === | ||
| Rajan along with a few dissidents floated a new Justice Party and claimed that their organisation was the original Justice Party.<ref name="georgejoseph" /><ref name="madrasdistrictgazetteer" /><ref name="sociologyofpolitics">{{cite book|title=Sociology of Politics: Tradition and Politics in India|url=https://archive.org/details/sociologyofpolit0000bhas|url-access=registration|first=R.|last=Bhaskaran|publisher=Asia Publishing House|year=1967|pages=}}</ref> ], who was President of the Madras Legislative Council between 1930 and 1937 was tentatively elected Party President<ref name="politicaleconomyp172">{{cite book|title=Political economy of India: a study of land reforms policy in Andhra Pradesh|author=B. A. V. Sharma|pages=172|publisher=Light and Life Publishers|year=1980}}</ref> but resigned in 1945 and was succeeded by Rajan.<ref name="madrasdistrictgazetteer" /><ref name="salem_ethnohistory">{{cite book | title=Salem City: An Ethnohistory (1792–1992)| last=Nārāyaṇan̲| first=Ka Ilakkumi |author2=T. Gangadharan |author3=N. Chandrasekar | year=1999| pages=90| publisher=Vysya college}}</ref> The Justice Party did not contest in the 1946 Assembly elections <ref name="plasseytopartition">{{cite book|title=From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India|pages=349|first=Śekhara|last=Bandyopādhyāẏa|publisher=Orient Blackswan|ISBN=978-81-250-2596-2|year=2004}}</ref> but participated in the 1951 elections, the first as a part of independent India.<ref name="1951elections">{{cite web|title=Statistical report on General Election 1951 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras|url=http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1951/STATISTICALREPORTS_51_MADRAS.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Election Commission of India|url-status=dead| |
Rajan along with a few dissidents floated a new Justice Party and claimed that their organisation was the original Justice Party.<ref name="georgejoseph" /><ref name="madrasdistrictgazetteer" /><ref name="sociologyofpolitics">{{cite book|title=Sociology of Politics: Tradition and Politics in India|url=https://archive.org/details/sociologyofpolit0000bhas|url-access=registration|first=R.|last=Bhaskaran|publisher=Asia Publishing House|year=1967|pages=}}</ref> ], who was President of the Madras Legislative Council between 1930 and 1937 was tentatively elected Party President<ref name="politicaleconomyp172">{{cite book|title=Political economy of India: a study of land reforms policy in Andhra Pradesh|author=B. A. V. Sharma|pages=172|publisher=Light and Life Publishers|year=1980}}</ref> but resigned in 1945 and was succeeded by Rajan.<ref name="madrasdistrictgazetteer" /><ref name="salem_ethnohistory">{{cite book | title=Salem City: An Ethnohistory (1792–1992)| last=Nārāyaṇan̲| first=Ka Ilakkumi |author2=T. Gangadharan |author3=N. Chandrasekar | year=1999| pages=90| publisher=Vysya college}}</ref> The Justice Party did not contest in the 1946 Assembly elections <ref name="plasseytopartition">{{cite book|title=From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India|pages=349|first=Śekhara|last=Bandyopādhyāẏa|publisher=Orient Blackswan|ISBN=978-81-250-2596-2|year=2004}}</ref> but participated in the 1951 elections, the first as a part of independent India.<ref name="1951elections">{{cite web|title=Statistical report on General Election 1951 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras|url=http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1951/STATISTICALREPORTS_51_MADRAS.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Election Commission of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217065636/http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1951/STATISTICALREPORTS_51_MADRAS.pdf|archive-date=2007-02-17}}</ref><ref name="thehindu_1951elections">{{cite news|title=Not good practice|first=V. K.|last=Ramachandran|work=]|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/24/stories/2004042402151000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040620140158/http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/24/stories/2004042402151000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2004|date=24 April 2004|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The Justice Party contested nine seats as an unrecognised state-level party of which the party won one.<ref name="1951elections" /> Rajan stood from Madurai North as well as Cumbum.<ref name="1951elections" /> While Rajan lost badly from Madurai North winning only 11% of the total votes polled and finished third, he won by a margin of 11,359 votes from Cumbum.<ref name="1951elections" /><ref name="thehindu_1951elections" /> The Justice Party did not contest in the 1957 Assembly elections and was eventually dissolved.<ref name="1957elections">{{cite web|title=Statistical report on General Election 1957 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras|url=http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1957/StatRep_Madras_1957.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217065415/http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1957/StatRep_Madras_1957.pdf|archive-date=17 February 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| Rajan contested as an independent from Uthamapalayam in the 1957 Assembly elections and polled 24,256 votes losing to K. Pandiaraj of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 6,303 votes.<ref name="1957elections" /> Rajan did not contest any more elections after the defeat. | Rajan contested as an independent from Uthamapalayam in the 1957 Assembly elections and polled 24,256 votes losing to K. Pandiaraj of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 6,303 votes.<ref name="1957elections" /> Rajan did not contest any more elections after the defeat. | ||
| Line 67: | Line 66: | ||
| == Political activism and ideology == | == Political activism and ideology == | ||
| P. T. Rajan, as a leading non-Brahmin leader, supported the appointment of non-Brahmin trustees to temples in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="tyagaraja_cult">{{cite book | title=The Tyāgarāja cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation| last=Ghose| first=Rajeshwari| year=1996| publisher=Motilal Banarsidass| ISBN=978-81-208-1391-5| page=350}}</ref> In the early 1950s, through his efforts, the present panchaloha idol of Lord Iyappan was installed at Sabarimalai and a procession was taken all over ].<ref name="faces_of_murukan">{{cite book | title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God| last=W. Clothey| first=Fred|author2=A. K. Ramanujan| year=1978| publisher=Walter De Gruyter| isbn=978-90-279-7632-1| page=201}}</ref><ref name="palanivelrajan_obituary1">{{cite news|title=Madurai mourns its colossal boss|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/21/stories/2006052106160400.htm|first=S. Vijay|last=Kumar|date=21 May 2006|location=Chennai, India |
P. T. Rajan, as a leading non-Brahmin leader, supported the appointment of non-Brahmin trustees to temples in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="tyagaraja_cult">{{cite book | title=The Tyāgarāja cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation| last=Ghose| first=Rajeshwari| year=1996| publisher=Motilal Banarsidass| ISBN=978-81-208-1391-5| page=350}}</ref> In the early 1950s, through his efforts, the present panchaloha idol of Lord Iyappan was installed at Sabarimalai and a procession was taken all over ].<ref name="faces_of_murukan">{{cite book | title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God| last=W. Clothey| first=Fred|author2=A. K. Ramanujan| year=1978| publisher=Walter De Gruyter| isbn=978-90-279-7632-1| page=201}}</ref><ref name="palanivelrajan_obituary1">{{cite news|title=Madurai mourns its colossal boss|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/21/stories/2006052106160400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514063306/http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/21/stories/2006052106160400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 May 2007|first=S. Vijay|last=Kumar|date=21 May 2006|work=]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> A road in ] has been named in his memory as "Sir P.T. Rajan Road".<ref></ref> | ||
| == Family == | == Family == | ||
| P. T. Rajan's uncle M. T. Subramania Mudaliar of Uthamapalayam was a member of the Dravidian Association and one of the early leaders of the Non-Brahmin Movement. He was always consulted with regard to the choice of Ministers by early |
P. T. Rajan's uncle M. T. Subramania Mudaliar of Uthamapalayam was a member of the Dravidian Association and one of the early leaders of the Non-Brahmin Movement. He was always consulted with regard to the choice of Ministers by early First Ministers such as the Raja of Panagal.<ref name="encyclopediaofpoliticalpartiesp128">], Pg 128</ref> | ||
| P. T. Rajan's son ] was a politician of the ].<ref name="palanivelrajan_obituary1" /> He served as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001<ref name="palanivelspeaker">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/tnassembly/assembly96/archives/assembly96.htm|title=Tamil Nadu 11th Assembly 1996–2001| |
P. T. Rajan's son ] was a politician of the ].<ref name="palanivelrajan_obituary1" /> He served as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001<ref name="palanivelspeaker">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/tnassembly/assembly96/archives/assembly96.htm|title=Tamil Nadu 11th Assembly 1996–2001|access-date=2008-10-22|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu}}</ref> and in 2006, he served as the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments in the Government of ] briefly before his death on 20 May 2006.<ref name="palanivelrajan_obituary1" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/21/stories/2006052107730100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721095557/http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/21/stories/2006052107730100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2006|title=P.T.R.Rajan Passes Away|date=21 May 2006 |work=]| location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Rajan's grandson Dr. ] (son of ]) is the finance minister of Tamil Nadu from 07.05.2021. | ||
| == Criticism == | == Criticism == | ||
| Line 81: | Line 80: | ||
| The newspaper ''India'' reported in the 25 March 1932 edition: | The newspaper ''India'' reported in the 25 March 1932 edition: | ||
| {{ |
{{blockquote|When the country is on fire, when the axe of retrenchment has fallen on the poor and when the people are experiencing intense suffering under the heavy burden of taxation, the Madras ministers have started on their tours immediately after passing of the Budget. The tour of Honourable Mr. P. T. Rajan causes us heart-burning. We have to feel sorry that the Ministers have been reduced to such a deplorable state. Mr. Rajan is going to Hindupur today which is at a distance of 400 miles from Madras for laying the foundation stone for a Taluk Board School. For this trivial affair, the Minister is squandering the money of the poor tax payer<ref name="colonialeconomy185">{{cite book | title=A Colonial Economy in the Great Depression, Madras (1929–1937)| last=Manikumar| first=K. A.| year=2003| publisher=Orient Blackswan| isbn=978-81-250-2456-9| page=185}}</ref><ref name="colonialeconomy186">{{cite book | title=A Colonial Economy in the Great Depression, Madras (1929–1937)| last=Manikumar| first=K. A.| year=2003| publisher=Orient Blackswan| isbn=978-81-250-2456-9| page=186}}</ref>}} | ||
| == Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| {{reflist|refs=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/madurai-central-election-result-2021-live-updates-madurai-central-winner-loser-leading-trailing-mla-margin-3697217.html}} | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| * {{cite book | title=South Indian Celebrities Vol 1| last=Balasubramaniam| first=K. M.| year=1934 |
* {{cite book | title=South Indian Celebrities Vol 1| last=Balasubramaniam| first=K. M.| year=1934| publisher=Solden & Co.| location=Madras|ref=South Indian Celebrities}} | ||
| * {{cite book | title=Encyclopaedia of Political Parties| last=Ralhan| first=O. P. | year=2002 |
* {{cite book | title=Encyclopaedia of Political Parties| last=Ralhan| first=O. P. | year=2002| publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD| isbn=978-81-7488-865-5|ref=Encyclopedia of Political Parties}} | ||
| {{s-start}} | {{s-start}} | ||
| {{succession box | before= | title=Member of the ] | after= | years= 1920 - 1937}} | {{succession box | before= | title=Member of the ] | after= | years= 1920 - 1937}} | ||
| {{succession box | before= ] | title=Minister of Development, Public Works and Registration<br /> (Madras Presidency)| after= ] | years=1930 - 1937}} | {{succession box | before= ] | title=Minister of Development, Public Works and Registration<br /> (Madras Presidency)| after= ] | years=1930 - 1937}} | ||
| {{succession box | before= ] | title=] | after= ] | years=4 April 1936 – 24 August 1936}} | {{succession box | before= ] | title=] | after= ] | years=4 April 1936 – 24 August 1936}} | ||
| {{succession box | before= ] | title=President of the ] | after= Party dissolved | years=1945 - 1957}} | {{succession box | before= ] | title=President of the ] | after= Party dissolved | years=1945 - 1957}} | ||
| {{succession box | before= None | title=Member of the Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum | after= | years=1952 - 1957}} | {{succession box | before= None | title=Member of the Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum | after= | years=1952 - 1957}} | ||
| {{s-end}} | {{s-end}} | ||
| {{Dravidian politics |
{{Dravidian politics}} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Rajan, P. T.}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Rajan, P. T.}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 11:15, 4 December 2024
Indian politician and former First Minister of Madras Presidency (1892-1974)
| Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan | |
|---|---|
 Rajan in 1934 | |
| Member of Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum | |
| In office 1952–1957 | |
| Governor | Sri Prakasa, A. J. John, Anaparambil |
| First Minister | Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, K. Kamaraj |
| 6th First Minister of Madras Presidency | |
| In office 4 April 1936 – 24 August 1936 | |
| Governor | John Erskine, Lord Erskine, Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu (acting) |
| Preceded by | Raja of Bobbili |
| Succeeded by | Raja of Bobbili |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 April 1892 Uthamapalayam, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 25 September 1974(1974-09-25) (aged 82) Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Political party | Justice Party |
| Children | P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan |
| Alma mater | The Leys School, Cambridge, Jesus College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan (22 April 1892 – 25 September 1974) was the First Minister of Madras Presidency from 4 April 1936, to 24 August 1936 (143 Days). He was also the last President of the Justice Party. P. T. Rajan was born in a Thondaimandala mudaliar family in Uthamapalayam. His ancestors were from Kanchipuram. He attended The Leys School, Cambridge and later, Jesus College, Oxford. He graduated in history and law, and practiced as an advocate for some time before joining the Justice Party.
Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party candidate in 1920 and served as a legislator till his defeat in 1937. He held various offices such as the Minister of Public Works and then, the First Minister of Madras Presidency. From 1939 to 1944, Rajan supported Periyar but broke off and headed the rebel Justice Party till 1957. Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952 and served as a legislator from 1952 to 1957. He also served interim speaker of Madras State Legislative Assembly in 1952. Rajan died in 1974 at the age of 82.
Rajan's son Palanivel Rajan served as a minister of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001. Rajan's grandson Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (son of Palanivel Rajan) was the finance minister of Tamil Nadu and he is the Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services of Tamil Nadu.
Early life
Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan was born in 1892 in Theni and belonged to the Kondaikatti Vellalar community. He was educated at Ley's School, Cambridge and graduated in history from Jesus College, Oxford University in 1915. He later studied law at the Inner Temple and was called to the Bar in 1917 and practised as an advocate before joining the Justice Party in the early 1920s.
Political career
Rajan stood as a Justice party candidate in the 1920 elections and was elected as a member of the Madras Legislative Council. He was also instrumental in getting W. P. A. Soundrapandian Nadar nominated to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party nominee.
In government
In 1930, when the Justice Party returned to power after a gap of 4 years, Rajan was appointed Minister of Public Works. He served as a minister in the governments of P. Munuswamy Naidu and the Raja of Bobbili. On 4 April 1936, he succeeded the Raja of Bobbili as the First Minister of Madras Presidency and held the post till 24 August 1936, when the Raja of Bobbili once again became the First minister. He was knighted on 1 February 1937.
In 1939, he joined Periyar and wholeheartedly supported his demand for secession from India. However, he broke off with a few others in 1944 when Periyar renamed the Justice Party as Dravidar Kazhagam. He was against the Principles of Periyar as Atheism and also since Periyar converted the political party into a non-political social organization.
As President of Justice Party
Rajan along with a few dissidents floated a new Justice Party and claimed that their organisation was the original Justice Party. B. Ramachandra Reddi, who was President of the Madras Legislative Council between 1930 and 1937 was tentatively elected Party President but resigned in 1945 and was succeeded by Rajan. The Justice Party did not contest in the 1946 Assembly elections but participated in the 1951 elections, the first as a part of independent India. The Justice Party contested nine seats as an unrecognised state-level party of which the party won one. Rajan stood from Madurai North as well as Cumbum. While Rajan lost badly from Madurai North winning only 11% of the total votes polled and finished third, he won by a margin of 11,359 votes from Cumbum. The Justice Party did not contest in the 1957 Assembly elections and was eventually dissolved.
Rajan contested as an independent from Uthamapalayam in the 1957 Assembly elections and polled 24,256 votes losing to K. Pandiaraj of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 6,303 votes. Rajan did not contest any more elections after the defeat.
Political activism and ideology
P. T. Rajan, as a leading non-Brahmin leader, supported the appointment of non-Brahmin trustees to temples in Tamil Nadu. In the early 1950s, through his efforts, the present panchaloha idol of Lord Iyappan was installed at Sabarimalai and a procession was taken all over Madras state. A road in K. K. Nagar, Chennai has been named in his memory as "Sir P.T. Rajan Road".
Family
P. T. Rajan's uncle M. T. Subramania Mudaliar of Uthamapalayam was a member of the Dravidian Association and one of the early leaders of the Non-Brahmin Movement. He was always consulted with regard to the choice of Ministers by early First Ministers such as the Raja of Panagal.
P. T. Rajan's son Palanivel Rajan was a politician of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He served as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001 and in 2006, he served as the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments in the Government of M. Karunanidhi briefly before his death on 20 May 2006. Rajan's grandson Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (son of Palanivel Rajan) is the finance minister of Tamil Nadu from 07.05.2021.
Criticism
Rajan's lavish spendings as Minister for Development under the Munuswamy Naidu regime at the height of the Great Depression along with those of others, invited the wrath of the media.
The newspaper India reported in the 25 March 1932 edition:
When the country is on fire, when the axe of retrenchment has fallen on the poor and when the people are experiencing intense suffering under the heavy burden of taxation, the Madras ministers have started on their tours immediately after passing of the Budget. The tour of Honourable Mr. P. T. Rajan causes us heart-burning. We have to feel sorry that the Ministers have been reduced to such a deplorable state. Mr. Rajan is going to Hindupur today which is at a distance of 400 miles from Madras for laying the foundation stone for a Taluk Board School. For this trivial affair, the Minister is squandering the money of the poor tax payer
Notes
- "Provinces of British India". World Statesmen. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
- ^ "List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu". Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
- South Indian Celebrities, Pg 54
- Christopher John Baker, D. A. Washbrook. South India. Springer, 1976. p. 174.
Similarly, the principal Kondaikatti-Thondamandala-Vellala association included among its leaders M. Subramania Mudaliar and his nephew P.T. Rajan from Madura, whom local political tactics had taken into the Justice Party.
- ^ The Times of India Directory and Year Book, Including Who's who. Bennett, Coleman & Co. 1977. p. 982.
- Rajan, P. T.; K. Paramasivam (1973). Sir P. T. Rajan's Eighty Second Birthday Souvenir, 1973. Justice Party. p. 237.
- ^ Marshall, Peter James (1996). The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire. Cambridge University. p. 365. ISBN 978-0-521-00254-7.
- Oxford University Calendar. University of Oxford. 1927. p. 802.
- Rudolph, Susanne Hoeber (1984). The Modernity of Tradition: Political Development in India. University of Chicago. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-226-73137-7.
- Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 150
- London Gazette, 1 February 1937
- ^ Ghevergese Joseph, George (2003). George Joseph, the Life and Times of a Kerala Christian Nationalist. Orient Blackswan. p. 231. ISBN 978-81-250-2495-8.
- Rajawat, Mamta (2005). Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India. Anmol Publications PVT Ltd. p. 245. ISBN 978-81-261-2084-0.
- ^ Baliga, B. S. (1957). Madras District Gazetteers. Government of Madras. p. 136.
- Bhaskaran, R. (1967). Sociology of Politics: Tradition and Politics in India. Asia Publishing House. pp. 47.
- B. A. V. Sharma (1980). Political economy of India: a study of land reforms policy in Andhra Pradesh. Light and Life Publishers. p. 172.
- Nārāyaṇan̲, Ka Ilakkumi; T. Gangadharan; N. Chandrasekar (1999). Salem City: An Ethnohistory (1792–1992). Vysya college. p. 90.
- Bandyopādhyāẏa, Śekhara (2004). From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India. Orient Blackswan. p. 349. ISBN 978-81-250-2596-2.
- ^ "Statistical report on General Election 1951 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2007.
- ^ Ramachandran, V. K. (24 April 2004). "Not good practice". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 20 June 2004.
- ^ "Statistical report on General Election 1957 to the Legislative Assembly of Madras" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
- Ghose, Rajeshwari (1996). The Tyāgarāja cult in Tamilnāḍu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 350. ISBN 978-81-208-1391-5.
- W. Clothey, Fred; A. K. Ramanujan (1978). The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God. Walter De Gruyter. p. 201. ISBN 978-90-279-7632-1.
- ^ Kumar, S. Vijay (21 May 2006). "Madurai mourns its colossal boss". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007.
- Gravediggers on the prowl on KK Nagar roads
- Encyclopedia of Political Parties, Pg 128
- "Tamil Nadu 11th Assembly 1996–2001". Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
- "P.T.R.Rajan Passes Away". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 May 2006. Archived from the original on 21 July 2006.
- Manikumar, K. A. (2003). A Colonial Economy in the Great Depression, Madras (1929–1937). Orient Blackswan. p. 185. ISBN 978-81-250-2456-9.
- Manikumar, K. A. (2003). A Colonial Economy in the Great Depression, Madras (1929–1937). Orient Blackswan. p. 186. ISBN 978-81-250-2456-9.
References
- Balasubramaniam, K. M. (1934). South Indian Celebrities Vol 1. Madras: Solden & Co.
- Ralhan, O. P. (2002). Encyclopaedia of Political Parties. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. ISBN 978-81-7488-865-5.
| Preceded by | Member of the Madras Legislative Council 1920 - 1937 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded byM. R. Sethuratnam Iyer | Minister of Development, Public Works and Registration (Madras Presidency) 1930 - 1937 |
Succeeded byMaulana Yakub Hasan Sait |
| Preceded byRaja of Bobbili | First Minister of Madras Presidency 4 April 1936 – 24 August 1936 |
Succeeded byRaja of Bobbili |
| Preceded byE. V. Ramasami | President of the South Indian Liberal Federation 1945 - 1957 |
Succeeded byParty dissolved |
| Preceded byNone | Member of the Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum 1952 - 1957 |
Succeeded by |
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