Sir Sankaran Nair
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News: The Prime Minister’s tribute acknowledged Sankaran Nair’s fearless voice against British tyranny on the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Sir Sankaran Nair.

Sir Sankaran Nair

About Sir Sankaran Nair

  • He was a prominent Indian jurist, social reformer, and nationalist known for his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and for advocating civil rights under British rule.

Early life

  • He was born on 11 July 1857 on the Malabar Coast.
  • He secured the Law degree from the Madras Law College in 1879 and started as a lawyer in 1880 in the High Court of Madras.

Government services and recognition

  • In 1884, the Madras Government appointed him as a member of the Committee for an enquiry into the state of Malabar.
  • Till 1908, he was the Advocate – General to the Government and an Acting Judge from time to time.
  • In 1908 he became a permanent Judge in the High Court of Madras and held the post till 1915.
  • In 1902, the Viceroy Lord Curzon appointed him Secretary to the Raleigh University Commission.
  • In recognition of his services he was awarded the title ‘Commander of the Indian Empire’ by the King – Emperor in 1904 and was knighted in 1912.

Achievements during freedom struggle

  • He became a member of the Viceroy’s Council in 1915 with charge of the Education portfolio.
    • As member, he wrote in 1919 two famous Minutes of Dissent in the Despatches on Indian Constitutional Reforms, pointing out the various defects of British rule in India and suggesting reforms.
  • In 1897, when the First Provincial Conference met in Madras, he was invited to preside over it.
  • In 1897, he was elected President of the Indian National Congress, becoming the first Malayali and one of the youngest to hold the post. His leadership reflected constitutionalism rather than populism, privileging civil rights and self-determination.
  • In 1900 he was a Member of the Madras Legislative Council.
  • In 1928 he was the President of the Indian Central Committee to co-operate with the Simon Commission.
    • He advocated for the Dominion Status for India.
    • When the Viceregal announcement came granting Dominion Status as the ultimate goal for India, Nair retired from active politics.

Death and Recognition

  • He passed away in 1934 at the age of 77, but he remains a symbol of fearless resistance and principled leadership in colonial India.
  • His legacy continues to inspire through books like The Case That Shook the Empire by his descendants and upcoming films like Kesari Chapter 2.

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