Mr. Kesava Shankar's Cartoon On Perunthalaivar Prof. M.C. Rajah (1933).

Shankar's Cartoon On Perunthalaivar Prof. M. C. Rajah

This cartoon was published in the Hindustan Times on March 31, 1933. This depicted about the Deputation of the Scheduled Classes of India led by Prof. M. C. Rajah to the then Viceroy Mr. Willingdon in New Delhi on 29th March 1933. Prof. M. C. Rajah sought the assistance of Government in removing the disabilities they suffer under. He pointed out that removal of their disabilities should be a national question. It should be noted that for the first time in India 'The Untouchability Abolition Bill of 1933' was introduced by Prof. M. C. Rajah in the Central Legislative Assembly (Today's Indian Parliament) as a lone member who represented the Scheduled Classes on 24th March, 1933. But it was opposed by the Orthodox Hindus. So, he hoped that the British Government would helps to facilitate the passage into Law of the Temple Entry and Anti-Untouchability Bills. While pointing the former greatness of the Scheduled Classes of India, Prof. M. C. Rajah mentioned from all over India. They were about the annual festival of George Town in Madras, the bull games in Dindigul, special privileges at Melkote temple in the then Mysore State and about the personalities such as Valluvar, Nandanar, Jambavan, Arundhati, Valli, Matangi, Tirupan Alwar, Nambaduwan, Maraneri Nambi, Amaran Adiparan, Vishwanadham, Ravi Das of Oudh, Chokamela of Maharashtra and Haridas of Bengal. 

Here is the cartoon note of Mr. Kesava Shankar:

Lord Willingdon told Mr. M. C. Rajah when he led a deputation on behalf of the Depressed Classes, that "in the new conditions" they would have to depend largely on their own efforts for their uplift.

Ambeth.

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Om Mani Padmaye!