Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress for having “abandoned” the memory of Chettur Sankaran Nair, who resigned as the sole Indian on the Viceroy’s Executive Council after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.

Meaning of the context: Chettur Sankaran Nair is the subject of an upcoming film called Kesari Chapter 2. The film is an adaptation of the 2019 book, The Case That Shook the Empire: One Man’s Fight for the Truth about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Learning zone:

• Chettur Sankaran Nair was a prominent Indian jurist, statesman, and nationalist leader during the British Raj, remembered for his bold criticism of British policies and his advocacy for Indian rights.
• Born on July 11, 1857, in Mankara village, Palakkad district, Malabar (now Kerala), into an aristocratic Chettur family following matrilineal succession.
• Graduated with an Arts degree (1877) from Presidency College, Madras, and earned a Law degree (1879) from Madras Law College.
• Served as Public Prosecutor (1899) and Advocate-General of Madras (1906–1908), a rare position for an Indian.
• Appointed puisne judge at the Madras High Court (1908–1915), contributing landmark judgments:
  • Budasna v. Fatima (1914): Ruled converts to Hinduism cannot be treated as outcastes, promoting social inclusion.
  • Upheld inter-caste and inter-religious marriages, reflecting progressive values.
• An early member of INC (founded 1885), Nair was elected its President in 1897 at the Amravati session, the youngest ever and the only Malayali to hold the post.
• Appointed to the Raleigh University Commission (1902) by Lord Curzon, influencing education policy.
• Viceroy’s Executive Council: Served as Education Member (1915–1919), the only Indian in the council, pushing for constitutional reforms.
• Supported the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1918), introducing dyarchy for greater Indian participation, though he sought more liberal provisions.
• Simon Commission (1928): Chaired the Indian Central Committee to cooperate with the Simon Commission, preparing a report reiterating Dominion Status.

Role in Jallianwala Bagh Aftermath – Resignation in Protest:

• As the sole Indian in the Viceroy’s Executive Council, Nair was appalled by the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919), where British troops under Reginald Dyer killed hundreds.
• Resigned in July 1919, protesting the British justification of martial law in Punjab under Michael O’Dwyer, despite advice from Motilal Nehru to stay and reform from within.
• His resignation shocked the British, leading to the revocation of martial law and amplifying nationalist sentiments.
• Gandhi and Anarchy (1922): Authored the book, critiquing both Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement (fearing it would lead to disorder) and British repression, especially O’Dwyer’s Punjab policies.
• Accused O’Dwyer of abetting the massacre, sparking a defamation lawsuit in London (1924).
• O’Dwyer v. Nair Trial: Sued by O’Dwyer in the King’s Bench, London, Nair faced a biased system.He Lost the case and was ordered to pay £500 in damages; he refused to apologize, choosing principle over compromise.

Source : Indian Express