Chettur Sankaran Nair, also known as Sir C. Sankaran Nair, was a towering figure in India’s legal, political, and social spheres during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His life, marked by a commitment to justice, social reform, and India’s self-determination, culminated in a courageous stand against British colonial oppression following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This biography explores every facet of his life, from his early years to his lasting impact on Indian history.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Born on July 11, 1857, in Mankara, Palakkad district, in the Madras Presidency (now Kerala, India), Chettur Sankaran Nair was the son of Parvathy Amma Chettur and Mammayil Ramunni Panicker. Hailing from the prominent Chettur family, Nair showed early academic promise. He pursued higher education in Madras, earning an arts degree from Presidency College in 1877 and a law degree from Madras Law College in 1879. These qualifications laid the groundwork for his distinguished career in law and public service (Wikipedia).
Legal Career
Nair embarked on his legal career in 1880 at the High Court of Madras, quickly establishing himself as a skilled lawyer. His career progressed through several key roles:
- Public Prosecutor (1899): Appointed for Madras State, showcasing his legal prowess.
- Advocate-General (1906–1908): Served as the chief legal advisor to the Madras government.
- High Court Judge (1908–1915): As a puisne justice, he delivered progressive judgments that advanced social equality.
One of his landmark rulings came in Budasna v Fatima (1914), where he upheld the validity of conversion to Hinduism, declaring that converts could not be treated as outcastes. Nair also supported inter-caste and inter-religious marriages, challenging societal norms of the time. Beyond the courtroom, he founded and edited the Madras Review and the Madras Law Journal, the latter being India’s oldest legal journal, still in publication today (Britannica).
His contributions to law earned him significant honors: he was appointed Companion of the Indian Empire in 1904 and knighted in 1912, becoming Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair.
| Legal Milestones | Details |
|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | Appointed in 1899 for Madras State |
| Advocate-General | Served 1906–1908, advising Madras government |
| High Court Judge | Puisne justice, 1908–1915, known for progressive rulings |
| Notable Case | Budasna v Fatima (1914), upheld conversion to Hinduism |
| Publications | Founded Madras Review and Madras Law Journal |
Political Career
Nair was a key figure in India’s early nationalist movement, joining the Indian National Congress (INC), formed in 1885. In 1897, he was elected president of the INC at the Amraoti session, becoming the youngest president at the time and the only Malayali to hold the post. As a moderate, he advocated for India’s self-determination while working within the colonial framework. His presidential address emphasized equality, stating,
“We must insist on perfect equality. Inequality means race inferiority, national abasement”.
In 1902, Nair was appointed to the Raleigh University Commission by Viceroy Lord Curzon, contributing to educational reforms. His most significant political role came in 1915 when he joined the Viceroy’s Executive Council as Education Minister, the sole Indian member, a rare honor for an Indian at the time (Wikipedia).
Role in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919, was a pivotal moment in Nair’s life. On that day, British troops under Brigadier General Reginald Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, Punjab, killing hundreds and injuring many more. The massacre, initially obscured by martial law and press censorship, shocked Nair, who was serving on the Viceroy’s Council (Storytrails).
Deeply disturbed, Nair resigned from the council in protest, a bold act that reverberated across India. His resignation pressured the British to lift press censorship in Punjab, end martial law, and establish the Hunter Committee to investigate the disturbances. Nair’s stand was akin to Rabindranath Tagore’s renunciation of his knighthood in protest of the same event (The Hindu).
Nair’s criticism of British actions continued in his 1922 book, Gandhi and Anarchy. In it, he accused Sir Michael Francis O’Dwyer, Punjab’s Lieutenant-Governor during the massacre, of responsibility for the atrocities. O’Dwyer sued Nair for libel, leading to a historic legal battle in an English court before an English jury. Nair’s defense was a courageous stand against colonial oppression, symbolizing Indian resistance. While some sources suggest Nair won the case, the exact outcome remains less documented, but his actions underscored his commitment to justice (Indian Express).
| Jallianwala Bagh Actions | Impact |
|---|---|
| Resignation (1919) | Prompted lifting of press censorship and martial law |
| Gandhi and Anarchy (1922) | Criticized British actions, led to libel suit by O’Dwyer |
| Libel Case | Historic defense in English court, symbol of resistance |
Social Reforms
Nair’s commitment to social reform was evident in his judicial and public life. His rulings as a High Court judge promoted social equality by validating religious conversions and inter-caste marriages, challenging entrenched caste and religious barriers. He was a passionate advocate for civil rights, believing that equality was essential to national dignity. His contributions extended to governance, as he played a role in the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, which introduced dyarchy and increased Indian participation in administration (Indian Express).
Personal Life
Nair married Palat Kunhimalu Amma, who became Lady Sankaran Nair after his knighthood. The couple had six children, and Nair balanced his demanding career with family life. His personal commitment to his community and principles shaped his public persona as a patriot and reformer.
Later Life and Death
Nair remained influential until his death on April 24, 1934, in Madras (now Chennai), at age 76. His autobiography, published posthumously, offers insights into his life and views (Britannica). His legacy as a jurist, statesman, and advocate for justice endures, particularly for his stand against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Modern Recognition
Nair’s life has gained renewed attention in recent years. A biopic, based on The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, is in production, highlighting his legal battle with O’Dwyer. Actor Akshay Kumar will portray Nair in Kesari Chapter 2, a film focusing on the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, underscoring Nair’s enduring relevance (IndiaTimes).
Conclusion
Chettur Sankaran Nair’s life was a testament to courage, intellect, and a relentless pursuit of justice. From his early days as a lawyer to his principled resignation over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Nair left an indelible mark on India’s legal, political, and social fabric. His legacy, celebrated through modern media and historical scholarship, continues to inspire as a symbol of resistance and reform in India’s fight for independence.