C. Sankaran Nair
Context: Sir C. Sankaran Nair, a liberal constitutionalist and fearless critic of colonial injustice, is now being politically appropriated despite his complex and principled legacy that defied ideological pigeonholing.
Important Pointers:
Birthplace: Born in 1857 in an aristocratic family from Mankara village, Palakkad, in present-day Kerala.
Education & Legal Career: Studied at Presidency College, Madras; began his legal career under Sir Horatio Shepherd, later Chief Justice of Madras HC.
Youngest INC President: Became the youngest President of the Indian National Congress in 1897; the only Malayali to hold the post.
Raleigh Commission Member: Appointed to the Raleigh University Commission by Lord Curzon in 1902.
Honours by British Empire: Conferred Companion of the Indian Empire (1904) and knighted in 1912.
Judicial Career: Became a permanent judge in Madras High Court in 1908, noted for progressive judgments.
Viceroy’s Executive Council: Joined in 1915, handling the education portfolio.
Role in Freedom Movement:
Nationalist Vision: Strong proponent of Indian self-rule and civil rights under colonial rule.
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms: Key contributor to the 1919 reforms, which introduced dyarchy in provinces.
Resignation Post-Jallianwala Bagh: Resigned from the Viceroy’s Council in 1919 after the massacre, triggering press censorship removal, end of martial law, and Hunter Commission formation.
Historic Defamation Trial (1922):
Book Allegations: Blamed Michael O'Dwyer for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in his writings.
Trial in England: Tried for defamation in a London court, which became the longest-running civil trial in Britain at the time.
Verdict: Lost the case (11–1 jury verdict); refused to apologize despite being fined £500 and trial costs.
Impact: Exposed British legal bias and strengthened nationalist sentiment in India.
Death & Legacy:
Death: Died in 1934 at age 77; remembered for his moral courage and integrity.
Legacy: Subject of the book "The Case That Shook the Empire" and inspiration for films like Kesari Chapter 2.