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!

Views of Prof. M.C. Rajah and Pandit Iyothee Thassar On Nandanar (7th Century AD).

Prof. M. C. Rajah and Pandit Iyothee Thassar on Nandanar

'Perunthalaivar' Prof. M. C. Rajah did not believe in a part of the story about Nandanar. The story depicted that Nandanar was admitted to the Sanctum Sanctorum after he was asked to walk on the fire at Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. While debating his 'Removal of Untouchability Bill' in the Central Legislative Assembly (the then Indian Parliament) in February 1934, Perunthalaivar argued that it was a mere fabrication made by the Brahmins.

According to Pandit Iyothee Thassar, Nandanar a Buddhist King, was later included in the Nayanmars list. In 1909, he explained that the Brahmins made the word 'Paraiyan' as derogatory through the myth stories such as 'Nandan Charithram' and 'Nandan Charithra Keerthanai'. For this he links 7th century with 19th century's dual classification i.e Right Hand faction and Left Hand faction. He argued this on the perspective of conflict between Buddhism and Brahmanism (Shaivism).

Note: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar inscribed his book 'The Untouchables: Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables?' to the memory of three persons. They are,

1. Nandanar ( Tamil Nadu ),

2. Ravidas ( Uttar Pradesh ),

3. Chokhamela ( Maharashtra ).

Ambeth,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Reference:

* Ayothidasar Sinthanaikal: Volume-01 (Politics).

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Tamil Volume-14.

Speech Delivered By Prof. Thanthai Sivaraj In Nagpur In April 1959.

Prof Thanthai Sivaraj in Nagpur.

Speech delivered by Prof. Thanthai N. Sivaraj, the Founder President of RPI in Nagpur in April 1959:

"The RPI has great faith in democracy specially in 'Parliamentary Democracy'. The depressed Buddha people should believe in parliamentary democracy. We have to establish the socialism according to the teachings of Gautama Buddha. The philosophy of Buddha and the concept of socialism are helpful to each other. The philosophy of Buddha is not only for spiritual and moral development but it is a philosophy of economic development and social development also. In real sense we have to create a state of poor people."

~ Ambeth Collections ~

Branches of The 'Sakya Buddhist Society' in 1911.

'Tamilian' Journal, December, 1911

In 1898, Pandit Iyothee Thassar founded the 'Sakya Buddhist Society' in Royapettah, Madras. The other branches of the Sakya Buddhist Society are:

1. Kolar (Karnataka)

2. Bangalore (Karnataka)

3. Thirupatore (Tamil Nadu)

4. Secunderabad (Telangana)

5. Nagpur (Maharashtra)

6. Rangoon (Myanmar's Capital)

7. Natal (South Africa)

Reference:

* 'Tamilian' Journal, December, 1911.

Journal Clip Courtesy: Prof. Dr. Stalin Rajangam.