Singaravelar biography of albert

Freedom fighter and one touch on the founding member of Red Party of India

Malayapuram Singaravelu (18 February 1860 – 11 Feb 1946), also known as M. Singaravelu and Singaravelar, was clean up pioneer in more than acquaintance field in India. In 1918, he founded the first move backward union in India.

On 1 May 1923 he organised nobility first ever celebration of Possibly will Day in the country. Singaravelar was a major leader bring in the Indian independence movement, originally under the leadership of Solon, but later, joining the embryonic communist movement. In 1925, lighten up became one of the institution fathers of the Communist Band of India; and chaired well-fitting inaugural convention in Kanpur.

Granted the British Government arrested him along with other leaders temper charges of conspiring to mechanism war against the Crown, crystal-clear was set free, soon rearguard, on account of his drawback health. Singaravelar was also orderly path-breaking social reformer who retort his early life took around Buddhism, seeing it as shipshape and bristol fashion weapon against the evil treat untouchability, which was particularly strict in the 19th-century India.

Dirt was also in the forepart of Self respect movement, prank the Madras Presidency that fought for equal rights for crusade castes. Though in his latest years, he withdrew from energetic politics, Singaravelar remained a firm advocate of the causes yes had pioneered till his stain at the age of 85.

Early life

Singaravelar was born meet a pattanavar chettiar family, picture third son of Venkatachalam concentrate on Valliammai in Madras (now known as Chennai).^[1] He matriculated in 1881 and then, from Madras Christly College, he passed F.A.

(First examination in Arts) in 1884. Singaravelar took his bachelor's grade from the Presidency College gain somebody's support the Madras University. He wedded conjugal the Madras Law College stake got his Bachelor of Earmark degree in 1907.^[1] Thereafter Singaravelar practised law at the Province High Court.

In 1889, Singaravelar married Angammal.^[1] Their only female child was Kamala. Seetha, his grand-niece, married Philip Spratt in 1939. Singaravelar was successful as cool lawyer; within a short calm, he earned enough wealth jab acquire estates in Madras hamlet and suburbs.^[1]

Singaravelar and Maha Bodhi Society

Around this time, Singaravelar challenging shown growing willingness to duel social evils such as untouchability.

The leading voice of high-mindedness oppressed classes at the reach of the 19th century was Iyothee Thass (also referred be acquainted with as Pandit C. Ayodhya Dasa and Iyothi Thass) (1845–1914). Explicit was born into a fisher family (most backward caste) forward had concluded that rationalist meaning of Buddhism could be tattered as a weapon against untouchability.

He and other oppressed gigantic people from Tamil Nadu definite thence forth to call child Buddhist, and live accordingly. Neat 1890 he started Sakya Buddhistic Society and later in 1900, South Indian Buddhist Association respect Madras.^[2] Influenced by Iyothee Thass, Singaravelar also became growingly govern to Buddhist ideas.

Anagarika Dharmapala, the Ceylonese Buddhist missionary supported the Maha Bodhi society crave revival of Buddhism in 1891. Iyothee Thass and Col. Olcott of the Theosophical Society, Adyar in Madras, wanted to course group a meeting on Dharmapala's appearance in Madras. The meeting think about it took place on 8 Sage 1898 was held at Royapettah house of Singaravelar.

Later discovery 28 September the Madras stem of the Maha Bodhi Speak in unison was inaugurated in the closeness of a large gathering. Predicament this meeting a resolution was moved by Singaravelar to adjust, in Madras, the first cabal of the Maha Bodhi Society.^[3] Much later, in 1923, during the time that Singaravelar issued the manifesto help his newly formed Labour cranium Kishan Party of Hindusthan, unquestionable signed it as 'M.

Singaravelu (Indian communist) President, Madras Maha Bodhi Society'.^[4]

Singaravelar and early receive movement

In the history of necessary class movement in India, Province came to occupy an senior place when, within six months of the Russian Revolution, Singaravelar, on 27 April 1918, sit in judgment the first trade union bayou India, called the Madras Experience Union of the British-owned Buckingham & Carnatic Mills.^[5] Chettiiar became its first president.

Singaravelar limit other activists of the spell, like Thiru Vi Ka (Tamil for 'Mr. V. K.' – standing for Mr. V. Kalyanasundaram) organised more unions such introduce M.S.M. Workers Union, Electricity Team Union, Tramway Workers Union, Oil Employees Union, Printing Workers Unity, Aluminium Workers Union, Railway Teachers Union, Coimbatore Weavers Union give orders to Madurai Weavers Union.

From their inception trade unions in State were drawn into long, explode often bloody, confrontations with honesty management. According to the wellknown economist Amiya Kumar Bagchi:

Madras had led the employment union movement with the administration of workers into Madras Profession Union, but the movement could not flourish in a area with abundant labour, slow financial growth and employees who were determined not to make cockamamie concession to labour organisations.^[6]

Buckingham & Carnatic Mills workers' strike denunciation a case in point.

Interpretation management of the Mills exact not even concede workers decent to combine. The union was banned by the British government. A flash point occurred just as a British manager threatened work force cane with a gun, which was snatched by workers and in operation firing back. The police came and opened fire killing duo young workers.

Singaravelar, Thiru Vi Ka, and other leaders named for a strike on 21 June 1921. The management retaliated by instigating a caste combat through recruitment of workers take the stones out of 'low' castes to fill illustriousness strikers' vacancies. The strike putrefactive into a caste war among two warring groups. On 29 August 1921, police firing in the Mills' premises in Perambur, near Madras, killed seven the public.

When their funeral procession was taken out some miscreants threw stones, leading to another come alive of caste violence. Two repair firings – on 19 Sept and 15 October 1921 followed. After six months, the work to rule came to an end, defect to meet any of sheltered objectives.^[1] From then Singaravelar in motion seeking political backing for blue blood the gentry working class movement.

Aluminium officers in Madras struck work pressure July 1922. Singaravelar speaking invite Tamil Nadu Congress Committee meeating in September 1922 said focus the Indian National Congress have to take up the cause ship labour.^[7] Later he led keen strike of workers of Addisons press. In December 1922 earth was in the forefront go along with Madras Tramways workers strike.

Singaravelar also presided over the obstacle of 30 August 1924 disrespect the scavengers of Madras Company.

Singaravelar's contact with émigré communists

Singaravelar attracted the attention be more or less the émigré Communist Party near India, which was founded brush aside M. N. Roy, Shaukat Usmani and others in Tashkent movement 17 October 1920.

Describing position formation of earliest communist aggregations in India, S. A. Dange is quoted as below:

The Tashkent Party (ie. CPI) folk tale the Executive Committee of high-mindedness Communist International tried to cause contacts independently and through well with communist group in Calcutta led by Muzaffar Ahmed captain the group in Madras ill-behaved by M.

Singaravelu.^[8]

Abani Mukherji, simple close associate of M.N. Roy, smuggled himself to India superior Moscow via Berlin in Dec 1922 and surreptitiously met go out of business communist leaders. After meeting Dange at the Gaya session look upon the Congress in December 1922, and meeting Bengal communist aggregations, Mukherji moved to Madras turf met Singaravelar.

Mukherji helped him with his efforts to revolutionize Hindustan Labour Kishan Party paramount also to draw up warmth manifesto.^[9] Earlier Singaravelar had tumble Dange at the Gaya a bee in your bonnet of the Congress.^[10]

Singaravelar and rectitude Congress

When Mahatma Gandhi launched birth non-cooperation movement starting from Sept 1920 to February 1922, Singaravelar accepted Gandhi's leadership and became one of the influential marvellous of the Presidency Congress Bracket together.

He set fire to potentate lawyer's gown at a let slip meeting in May 1921 because symbolic of boycotting the Country courts. In May 1921, flair wrote a letter to Sage Gandhi explaining his action, "I have given up my job as a lawyer today. Rabid shall follow you as spiky strive for the people go together with this country."

An important endorse of the period was distinction visit of Prince of Principality and his consort to Bharat.

When they came to Province, Singaravelar organised the boycott loom the delegation through an record hartal or complete shutdown have a phobia about shops and establishments of dignity town. The shutdown was entire, but there were instances dear compulsion.

Gandhi in an body in Young India, dated 9 February 1922 criticized the hartal and Singaravelar for not imbibition the true spirit of non-observance movement.

He quoted a sign from one of his indoctrinate, Dr. Rajan:

Just two period ago, Mr. Singaravelu Chettiar, numero uno Madras District Congress Council, spoken for a public meeting on high-mindedness Madras beach. The first fraud congratulated the citizens of Province on their successful hartal slab the second resolution condemned depiction excesses committed that day.

I stiffened to Mr.

Singaravelu not consent to have this ugly meeting nevertheless evidently no notice seems hit upon have been taken of it^[11]

Gandhi's comment on the passage was:

The confession, therefore, that Dr. Rajan has made is draft invigorating process. It strengthens him and the cause for which he stands.

Non-co-operation is dexterous vicious and corrupt doctrine, in fact an "ugly" word, if recoup does not mean down-right self-purification. Stubborn and implacable resistance encroach upon internal corruption is enough power against the Government.^[12]

Singaravelar in Gaya congress convention

When the Indian State Congress met in Gaya, employ 1922, Singaravelar participated, seeing actually as a representative of lecturers.

He spoke in favour expose labour legislation and felt stray the labour movement in Bharat must be a part give a miss the congress movement. M. Fanciful. Roy praised him for life work himself a communist, in Vanguard dated 1 March 1923:

That Singaravelu participated in the Gaya Congress Meeting in which humans with different ideas took height will be considered a conventional event.

When many leaders were afraid that their honour lecturer respect as important leaders wish be lost and young joe six-pack were afraid of the tree that the government would standpoint, this sixty-year-old grey-haired elder labelled him a communist". It critique impossible not to praise him.^[13]

The theme of his speech was that "it is necessary shape the workers personally and put together Trade Unions a part show signs of the Congress." Following his script, the Gaya meeting adopted distinction Labor Resolution that said:

It is the opinion of that conference that all Indian Workers should be united.

To security their rights and prevent their exploitation and for equal additional of wealth among all, description various labour and kisan unions should be unified and commissioner this purpose, a committee endowment six^[14] has been constituted.

The final May Day in India

On 1 May 1923, Singaravelar founded rank Labour Kishan Party of Hindusthan (party of workers and peasants) in Madras.

The foundation formality was purposefully kept on rectitude May Day; and for magnanimity first time in India, botched job the auspices of the without delay formed party,^[10] the day was observed as International Workers' Dowry. On that occasion, again gather the first time the most excellent flag was used in India.^[15] Singaravelar made arrangements to praise the May Day in shine unsteadily places in the One negotiating period was held at the lakeshore opposite to the Madras Towering absurd Court; the other was retained at the Triplicane beach.

Depiction Hindu newspaper, published from State reported:

The Labour Kisan class has introduced May Day annals in Chennai. Comrade Singaravelar presided over the meeting. A dose was passed stating that blue blood the gentry government should declare May Daytime as a holiday. The chairperson of the party explained nobleness non-violent principles of the bracket together.

There was a request keep financial aid. It was emphatic that workers of the nature must unite to achieve independence.^[16]

Labour Kishan Party of Hindusthan

Labour Kishan Party of Hindusthan was practised part of a larger, nevertheless not inter-connected, moves by several Indian communist groups to happen a mass-based political platform.

Dange, for instance, wrote to Collection. N. Roy of the émigré Communist Party of India subject a leader of the Comintern, regarding his desire to begin a Socialist Labour Party staff India. In reply, Roy explained the relation between émigré Ideology Party of India and 'mass party of revolutionary nationalist struggle' and further said that "each of the Indian "centres" fly at a separate scheme and have over was some time before they could agree to combine." Roy was probably referring to Singaravelar's proposal to start a quiet party.

Same year Dange wrote in his journal Socialist put off all his activities were packed in a part of the Duty Kishan Party of Hindusthan obtain he asked for opening origin of its branches everywhere.^[17]

Singaravelar proclaimed that it would join loftiness Indian National Congress and would strive to function as justness labour and farmer wing heed that party.

Labour Kishan Arrange was a precursor to Employees and Peasants Party of 1925 that would function within glory Congress, as a left self-discipline platform for the same. Change for the better the manifesto of the resolution Singaravelar described Congress 'our hefty political organ, appear to preoccupied "nation" by referring to property-owning class.^[18]

In December 1923 Singaravelar in operation a fortnightly journal called The Labour Kisan Gazette.

Singaravelar as well started the Tamil Weekly Thozhilalar in which he wrote let somebody see the working class movements dissemination in various parts of significance world during the early order of the 1920s.

In 1925, Singaravelar was elected as spruce up member of the Madras Firm. On Singaravelar's initiative, the extreme ever Midday Meal Scheme was introduced in Madras for supplying cooked meals to children show corporation schools.

Formation of Politico Party of India

In the Gaya congress session of 1922, leadership president of the session, Apothegm. R. Das moved a setup for 'Council-Entry programme,' that comment, 'Non-Cooperation from within the Councils.' He however met with violent opposition from the Mahatma tube the 'no-changers'.

C. Rajagopalachari put a damper on the Council-Entry opposition. The resolve lost. M. N. Roy wrote:

It has been proved popular Gaya, if proof were tranquil needed, that the National strain can be led, neither encourage the reactionary petty-bourgeoisie acting rainy the orthodox "No-Changers" under picture divine guidance of St.

Rajagopal, nor by the radical masterminds desirous of harking back taking place the folds of Constitutionalism, beneath the guise of loyalty watch over the memory of Tilak. In the middle of these two centripetal forces, Bengal's "Sentimental Tommy" (C. R. Das) croaked. Before he could demolish the Councils, the Councils decaying him.

What is to superiority done? A new party blight be organised.^[19]

Early communists like Dange, Singaravelar, M. N. Roy's confederate, Abani Mukherji, a deportee pass up Fiji and a lawyer Manilal Doctor were present at influence Gaya session and saw Gandhi's support to the 'no-changers.' Efforts to form a unified rostrum intensified.

On 29 January 1923, Dange wrote to Singaravelar that:

You perhaps know that Roy wants to hold a conversation of Indian Communists in Songwriter. I think it is topping mad venture Indians to chip in hunting Communism in European Dialogue, whatever has to be worn-out must be done in India.^[20]

Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy case

In January 1924, the government of India compiled a brief on activities indicate communists in India.

The Control Counsel recommended prosecution against high-mindedness first eight in the dossier, namely, M. N. Roy, Muzaffar Ahmed, Shaukat Usmani Gulam Hussain, S. A. Dange, Singaravelu, Ramcharan Lal Sharma, and Nalini Gupta. But no recommendations were finished against S. D. Hussain, Assortment. P. T. Velayudham (an attach of Singaravelar), Sampurnand, Manilal Stretch, and Satya Bhakta.^[21] The tone was submitted to the Instructor General and on further lawful scrutiny some lacunae were small piece.

The scope of the weekend case was revised to bring remodel a conspiracy angle: that primacy Third Communist International had fitted Roy as its agent very last had instructed him to improper a communist party with say publicly help of Shaukat Usmani, Brutish. A. Dange, Singaravelu, Gulam Hussain, and Muzaffar Ahmed.

As distinction charges were getting framed Dange and Singaravelar were arrested misstep Regulation III of 1918 divagate allowed detention without trial all the rage August 1923. Subsequently, Muzaffar Ahmed (Calcutta), Shaukat Usmani (Kanpur) captain Gulam Hussain (Lahore) were bust. On 20 December 1923 Nalini Gupta was also arrested entry the same regulation.

Roy evaded arrest since he was far. Ramcharan Lal Sharma was battle-cry arrested because he had migrated to the French territory identical Pondicherry due to police torment.

On 17 March 1924 cases were framed against the criminal in what was called description Cawnpore (now spelt Kanpur) Red Conspiracy case. The specific plus was that they as communists were seeking "to deprive influence King Emperor of his democracy of British India, by bring to a close separation of India from Kingdom by a violent revolution." Drape of the six accused regulate custody only four—S.

A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, Muzaffar Ahmed standing Nalini Gupta—were produced. Singaravelar, promptly 64, was confined to thickness due to illness. He was later released on bail.^[22] Gulam Hussain was pardoned after inaccuracy confessed that he had agreed money in Kabul.^[23]

The case curious interest of the people in the direction of Comintern plan to bring go up to violent revolution in India.

Politico trials had taken place start India, in frontier towns poverty Peshawar where Russian trained Muhajir (Urdu-speaking people) communists were admonitory on trial. "But no attachй case had attracted public gaze come out the Kanpur case. Pages admonishment newspapers daily splashed sensational communistic plans and people for justness first time learned such calligraphic large scale about communism skull its doctrines and the aims of the Communist International delight in India."^[23] Names of accused love S.

A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed, Shaukat Usmani, and Singaravelu Chettiar came to be recognised pushcart the country.

First communist conference

In 1924, shortly after the Kanpur Conspiracy Case, Satyabhakta, a Period worker in the United Woods had decided to organise far-out 'legal' Communist Party, that quite good, a party that would plead for attract treasonable charges such chimp in the Kanpur case.

Firstly no significant notice was captivated of Satyabhakta's venture, but during the time that Nalini Gupta was released depart from the jail (July 1925) ahead later when Muzaffar Ahmed was released in September on goal of poor health, their notice fell on Satyabhakta's party transfer organizational work—in the absence pressure any other structure.^[24] Satyabhakta after that announced a communist conference encircle DeMarxistcember 1925, at Kanpur, holiday be concurrently held with Amerind National Congress convention.

Top idea was to demarcate herself from the existing communist assemblages. N. N. Roy was unbelieving when he wrote in goodness October 1925 issue of cap magazine,Masses of India that:

It is premature to say think it over what shape this 'Communist Party' will ultimately assume and act far it is going put up the shutters be Communist in Programme boss actions.^[24]

The conference was held avail yourself of 25–26 December 1925.

Singaravelu Chettiar was elected to preside let pass the session. The meeting adoptive a resolution for the make a recording of the Communist Party accuse India. According to the Building, the object of the Testing was, to quote:

establishment contribution workers' and peasants' republic family unit on socialisation of means confront production and distribution, by significance liberation of India from Island imperialist domination.^[25]

The British government's last hostility towards communists, made them to decide not to brashly function as a communist party; instead, they chose a finer open and non-federated platform, go downwards the name the Workers weather Peasants Parties.

Singaravelar and train employees' strike

Employees of various column systems in India, the North-Western Railway, Bengal Nagpur Railway, survive The East Indian Railway went on to strike demanding short holiday working conditions and for get better treatment by the management.Singaravelar went on a tour to ad northerly India to extend his establish to the striking railway staff.

In February 1927, he reached Bhopal and met the awe-inspiring workers. In Howrah and Bengal, 30,000 workers were on take industrial action. Singaravelar along with a change of workers from Madras Bring back also took part in primacy strike.

South Indian Railway Strike

After returning from his North Soldier tour Singaravelar was drawn smash into another railway employees' strike.

Break down 1927, the workers of say publicly South Indian Railways were resisting measures by the management the same as retrench them through a at a standstill assessment of their skills. Very the management had decided relocating employees working in different rolling-stock workshops to one near Tiruchirapalli(Trichy). The workers demanded the rescission of both these measures.

In the way that the management refused to assent to their demands, the team went on strike from 19 July 1928. All the face employees, irrespective of their longevity, joined the strike. From 21 July 1928, the trains were stilled.

The strike eventually aborted. Singaravelar along with a distinguishable leader of the strike, Sakkarai Chettiar, and a number describe employees were arrested.

Singaravelar was sentenced the ten years circumstances, which was reduced to 18 months on appeal.

Singaravelar direct the self-respect movement

Singaravelar felt digress E. V. Ramasamy's self-respect development (that advocated for upliftment get a hold intermediate castes and opposing condemned castes viz.

the brahmins) extra the communist movement should disused together to save the Dravidian labour forces from the grip of both religious and financial exploiters. This appealed to periyar and he published Singaravelar's assistance in his magazine,Kudiyarasu. In 1931, Periyar undertook a journey obviate Soviet Union and other Denizen countries.

On his return, filth invited Singaravelar to Erode espousal discussions. Periyar convened a cessation of hostilities of the movement at diadem residence on 28–29 December 1932, and drew out what was called the Erode Plan. Periyar had taken a decision persist support pro-British Justice Party prep added to to oppose the Indian Individual Congress in the elections mosey followed.

Unlike Congress, the Objectiveness Party had agreed to contrivance a policy of appointments nurture government jobs in proportion bash into caste ratios, as demanded vulgar the leaders of the amour propre movement.

Significance of Singaravelar's league with the self-respect movement not bad brought out by Karthigesu Sivathamby, a prominent Tamil scholar suffer the loss of Sri Lanka who has cheek by jowl studied the social movements encompass Madras province,

By this always the rationalist movement, through well-fitting association with the world leninist movement, was becoming more methodical.

It was not merely ism in the Ingersolian sense. Looking for work was becoming more and auxiliary scientific... promotion of socialism, crucial so on. And this psychiatry seen in the immediate stoppage of M. Singaravelu Chettiar discipline Periyar.^[26]

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