Writing of the Communist Literature in the Madras Presidency,

1917-1947
Madras Presidency was one of the most extensive provinces of British India.
The Government of India Act of 1919, popularly known as ‘Mont - Ford’ Reforms
Act’ provided for ‘diarchy’ in the provinces and it introduced limited responsible
Government. Elections were held in 1921 under this Act. The Congress boycotted of
the election, where as the Swaraj Party contested and got defeated by the Justice
Party, a pro-British party in Tamil Province and formed it Government in the Madras
Presidency. Against this political background, the people of this presidency slowly
gained political consciousness and began to realize their rote in the political and
economic spheres. The strategy of the people of the period was divided in to three
ideologies1.
a) the elites and intellectuals wanted to moblize the people to the Indian National
movement by enlightening then to the Indian nationalism.
b) recently emerged working class of the urban centers of Madras Presidency,
who served in the industrial sectors in Madras, Coimbatore, Masalipatnam,
Vizagapatnam, Trichy etc., They wanted to strengthen the working class
section for their better way.
c) the peasants who were widely distributed all over Madras Presidency were
truly downtrodden and the British did very little to redeem their lot
All these three sectors of the Indian society joined together and worked for the
removal of the British rule in India2.
The concept of Communist ideology, was not novel to the people of Madras
Presidency Subramania Bharathi had expressed this idea in his poems composed even
before the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, an ideology that was emphasized by
V.I. Lenin. Bharathi stated that “Even if one man doest not have freed to eat we will
destroy the whole world; thirty crores of people will enjoy the produce of the Indian
society. The society will be novel example to the presence world3.

The Janasakthi, a Tamil Communisty daily reproduced the essence of the

poem of Bharathi, in its issued dated 16 th September 1939, which expressed love and
admiration Bharathi had for the people of Tamil Country. The dream of new world
1
M.Ammaiyappan, Indiya Communist Katchiyin Varallarturukuripugal, Madras, 1976, pp.76-78
2
P.Ramamurthy, Viduthalaiporum Dravida Iyyakkamum, Madras, 1983, pp. 67-69
3
Public G.O. no.1858 (Confdl.) 30th October, 1939
which materialised in Russia gave Bharathi a great joy and he expressed his joy in the
following words’
“The masses have earned out a life dear to them; justice for the people. The
world has come to know this polity, the People’s Republic.”4
The Janasakthi further stated that the world was unable to under stand and
accepts the great change Bharathi had dreamt of in his national songs and writings.
After the October and November 1917 Revolutions of Russia, the Marxian ideology
was exheed in the writings of Bharathi and Bharathi thus became a visualisery to the
people of this presidency to known much about the Maxxiam ideology.5

Pillars of Communist Movement: Singaravelu

Singaravelu was the pioneer of the Communist movement in Southern part of
India. He started the Communist Party in Tamil Province in 1925; he was a lawyer by
his profession and he gave up his practice and chose the path of Communism. He had
a close contact with Ganga Prasad of Gaya and Gum Samayya of Bangalore; and Dr.
Manilar of Gaya. They worked together for the labour organisation all over India on
the Communist principles. Ganga Prasad and Gum Samayya were deputed to Madras
to guide Singaravelu and to establish the labour Organisations in the Madras
Presidency on Marx lines.
On 20th March 1923, Singaravelu Net Kalyana Sundra Mudaliar, E.L. Iyer,
Chakkarai Chettiar, Dandapani Pillai, Natesh Naicker and Adikesalu to discuss the
issue of founding the Communist Movement in the South. They resolved to start the
movement and work strenously among the labour community and the poor. They
motivated them to join the Communist party. Kalyanasundram became the General
Secretary of the South Indian Labour Union, Golden Rock and he was considered to
be one of the underground Communist organisers of Frich. He spoke not only the
concept of Indian Nationalism but also the essence of Communist ideology6.
Singaravelu had a close contact with the Russian revolutiraries early 1900’s.
The sufferings caused to the working class as a result of the first word was increased
his determination to struggle for the betterment of the working class. Thus, the
October and November revolutions of 1917, the aftermath of the word war I in India

4
The Janasakthi, Madras, 16th September, 1939
5
Ibid., 6th September, 1944
6
K.Mugugasen & C.S. Subramanian, Singaravelu – First Communist in South India, New Delhi,
1975, pp.21-22
and the consequent sufferings which were undergone by the labour Community made
him get involved in the movement for the working class 7. On 19th May 1921, a
meeting was organised by the Choolai Mills workers where he addressed on the
Communist ideology. He emphasised that the labourers should give a deep through to
the questions. Why should there be a trade union? What is its purpose? The workers
must to try to understand the purpose of the various unions that already existed and
should try to know what they stand for. His speeches in the meeting identified
himself as the near trend changer in the Indian National Politics8.
The Navasakthi in its issue dated 17th September 1921 published the speech of
Singaravelu. The Workers in Indian factories suffered but to them this suffering had
become a routine affair. Such numbers to suffering was because the Indian labourer
had been kept under ignorance. The remedy to this situation, he suggested, lay in
reviving the old handicrafts, Singaravelu before taking up a definite programme for
the workers of Madras Presidency, analyzed the problem of labour in all its
diversions. In fact, even before bringing out his Communist manifesto in 1923 he had
clear basic ideas of Communism and he had his solution to the labour problem.9

The Communist Manifesto, 1923

Singaravelu and his fellow friend’s frond an organisation known as “The
Kisan (or) Agricultural and Labourer’s section of Congress” for the people of Madras
Presidency. Singaravelu was its secretary and Dhandapani Pillai became its
Provincial organiser. They propagated the Communist ideals to the people especially
the working class, Section of the Indian Society. They drafted a ‘Communist
Marifesto that explained the objectives of the Organisation. At this juncture, M.N.
Roy based in Berlin was appointed as the Chief agent of “The Third International
Comintern”, launched by V.I. Lenin in Russia, to represent India. M.N. Roy was
invited to be the quest from India to attend the conference in Tashkant in November
1920.10 M.N. Roy had a close contact with Singaravelu of Madras and S.A. Dange of
Bombay, who took active part informing Communist movement in India.
Singaravelu’s correspondence with M.N. Roy made him a Communist leader of the

7
Ibid., p.24
8
Ibid., p.48-52
9
The Navasakthi, Madras, 17th September, 1921
10
The Under Secretary’s Safe File No. 424, Confdl, Govt. of Madras dt. 1st July, 1923, (Here after
referred as U.S.S.File)
presidency. He expressed his admiration for Roy’s Communist pamphlets and Roy
out lines the way in which Singaravelu should work. Singaravelu contacted
Communit groups in Bombay, Calcutta, Lahore and he also established contact with
Manilal of Gaya.11
In April 1923, a Communist Manifesto was issued which out lined the
programme for the Labour and Kisan Party of Hindustan and this Manifest was
circulated among the people of the Presidency. The Chief aim of the party was “to
bring economic relief to the Masses “and” achieve labour swarah by Non-violent
means” Singaravelu adopted non-violence on Gandhian Model. The party was to
affiliate itself with the labour and Kisan section of the Congress and it decided to
adopt the method of non-violence M.N. Roy formed a revolutionary school and
imparted trainings to select some Muslim residents as ‘Muhajariss’, literarily known
as the Communist agents.12
After establishment of party in Madras, Singaravelu wanted others to accept
Madras as the head quarters to Communist movement in India. M.N. Roy endorsed
his appeal to treat Madras as the centre for the movement. He appealed to the labour
community to celebrate ‘May Day ‘on 1st May 1923.13 The Navasakthi of Madras
published his speech on 2 May 1923. He said “The Labour Day more commonly
known as the May Day on Tuesday 1st May 1923 in the beach at Triplicane, Madras at
6.00 PM. When the party’s creed aim and programme will be explained to the
workers”. Thus the party framed the rules and regulation at Madras on 1 st May
1923.14
Singaravelu took all efforts to bring about the Communist Manifesto in the
Welfare of the labourers. The fact that a co-ordinate action was essential to make
Communism a mass movement not only in Madras but also in other Provinces of
Madras Presidency. A thousand copies of the Manifesto in English and Tamil were
minted at Kalanilayam press by K.A. Rajagopalachari at 2B, Govindappa Naicker
Street, George Town, Madras. They sent these copies of Manifesto to all newspapers,
Associated Press and England, America, Australia based papers.15

11
U.S.S. file No. 493, Confdl., 9th July, 1924
12
U.S.S. file No. 424, Confdl., 1st July, 1923
13
The Swarajya, Madras, 27th April, 1923
14
The Navasakthi, Madras, 1st May, 1923
15
U.S.S. file No. 493, Confdl., 9th July, 1924
 He called for a private conference at Natesa Mudaliar’s house at George
Town, Madras in May 1923. P. Duraisami Naidu of Choolai Mills, Govindasami,
Murugesa Mudaliar of Perambur workshop, Govindarajuly of Aluminium Factory, Sri
Ramalu of Tramway Union, Natesa Mudaliar, Gurusamy of Choolai Mills and
Varadharajuly of Printer’s union were the prominent labour union leaders attended the
meeting. Five resolutions were made to safeguard the interest of the Working class in
the province. The Manifesto of Singaravelu was praised by Gulam Hussain, M.N.
Roy and S.A. Dange.16
The Navasakthi reproduced the letter written by M.N. Roy to S.A. Dange
regarding the Manifesto of Singaravelu. ‘ It reads’ We have received a project for the
organisation of a legal mass party from Mr. N. Singaravelu and it appears some
progress has been made in the right direction. His manifesto must have been
published by this time but we have not yet received it. It is therefore all the more
urgent that the few good comrades we have should get together and work in
coordination. Get in touch with M. Singaravelu and plan for a conference. He is very
energetic and possesses a very splendid spirit. He provides us with an access into the
ranks of the Congress which is very valuable. Through him we can lay our hands on
the labour Sub-Committee of the Congress.17

The First Indian Communist Party’s Conference

The Labour unions of Madras Presidency gradually came to understand the
Communist ideology through the serious efforts of Singaravelu. He organised the
First Indian Communist Party’s conference at Kanpur in 1925 and it was presided
over by him. In his presidential address, he said that the Communists though small in
Number formed the Vanguard of the future workers - State of India. Therefore their
main aim was win Swaraj for the people of India and to prevent exploitation of the
workers and the peasants though land and industrial legislation. The Communists
hoped to achieve their aim through the unions of labourers and presents through
persuasion, through propaganda and it necessary in cooperation with other political
organisations of the nation.18
He propagated the ideas of communism in Madras Province. Later he made
use of the Samadharma party of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker who after his tour of
16
The Navasakthi, Madras, 21st May, 1923
17
Copy of the letter addressed to the Manager and dtd. 7th May, 1923
18
K.Mugugasen & C.S. Subramanian, Op.cit., pp.193-194
Moscow was attracted by the Soviet Principles. At a meeting of the Self Respect
Workers in Erode, on 4th March 1934 two policies were adopted. 1. “To obtain
security of services for workers in factories, workshops, railways and shipping”.
2. “To get for the landless agricultural labourers a reasonable share in the produces”.
E.V.R. Naicker invited M. Singaravelu, K. Murugesan of Nagapatinam and P.
Jeevanandam of Trichi to attend the meeting.19

Government’s Action
The Government of India invited stern proceedings against Singaravelu for the
Kanpur Conspiracy case. He was and arrested in Madras on 18 th June 1925, but as he
was sick and he was relaxed on fail. The reason for his arrest was that the Communist
International was striving to establish instruct in India with the help of Singaravelu
and that accused fried to establish a Labou5r and Kissan Party. The charges against
him could not be sustained and the warrant issued was later withdrawn.20
The Kudiarasan of Eroxe published the speech of Singaravelu. It reads “The
living condition of India is very poor the death rate is high and the country has only
8% of literacy. These who are getting higher education are lastthan 1% In order to
improve the conditions in India; Socialism through propaganda is very essentials.
The propagandists shall avail 7 every platform to reach the millions of the people of
the country. The means by which socialist economy can be established is only
through the awareness that will be created among the people - an awareness that will
make the people to establish a socialist order with a total faith in the socialist ideals. 21
Singaravelu did not stop with making lectures on the socialistic pattern of
society and its cherished goals. He also actively supported the workers to form
unions and participated in many of the Labour Unions strikes. The workers and
labourers, therefore, were to unite and more number of unions must join together to
make a public demonstration which alone would benefit them. In almost all the
strikes which were organised between 1920 and 1940, Singaravelu participated
actively and guided them not only in Tamil province but also in other provinced of
Madras Presidency.22

19
The Navasakthi, Madras, 6th March, 1923
20
The Hindu, Madras, 20th June, 1925
21
The Kudiarasu, Erode, 7th March, 1934
22
K.Mugugasen & C.S. Subramanian, Op.cit., pp.170
 In August 1927, the Americal Labour Militants lite Nichols sacco and vanseffi
were condemned to the electric Chari. Singaravelu condemned this act and organised
a demonstration in protest against the police firing on the workers of the Burmah Oil
Company. In May 1927, the Kerosene Oil Workers in Madras were a strike and about
105 boys were dismissed from the company. He stood for the workers and protested
against the actions of the government by staging demonstrations. As a Congressman
he wired to the AICC to support the Oil Workers on strike. 23 The Hindu of Madras, in
the issue dated 14th May 1927 published the AICC’s resolution. It reads,” The AICC
meeting condemns the unjust in human and illegal action of the Burmah Oil
Company authorities in taking the law in to their own hands and the police firing on
the unarmed workers on strike, expresses its fully sympathy with the worker and calls
upon the members of Madras Legislative council to organised Civil his obedience. As
he was the President, a case was launched against him and the other workers
involved.24 In December 1927, the 42nd session of INCC took place in Madras,
Singaravelu actively participated in it. He gave active support to the workers who
participated in the strike of Tato Iron and Steel Company in the 1927 and 1928.
Moreover he also actively participated in the Railway Strike which lasted from 20 th to
30th July 1928. Singaravelu, Mukundlal Sir Car and Krishnasamy Pillai were arrested
for leading the strike.25
E.V. Ramasamy Naicker covered a self-Respect Socialist convention on 19 th
December 1932, on the request made by Singaravelu at Erode. Between 1935 and
1936, R.V. Ramasamy edited and published The New World, a Marxist journal from
Madras. Singaravelu, Jeevanandam and A.S.K. Iyengar wrote frequent communist
oriented articles in it. Singaravelu wrote articles on Dialectical materialism,
disarmament, was and peace and social oriented topics. It also presided over a rally
of workers under the auspices of Madras Trade Union Congress, Congress socialist
party and Madras Press Labour Union on March 27, 1938. He demanded the lifting
of the ban on the Communist Party of India.26
Singaravelu wrote frequent articles in the Kudiarasu of E.V. Ramasamy. The
content of there articles were covered his stand against Caste, religion, God and
Superstition. He had published move than fifty articles on Scientific Methods and

23
M.Ammaippan, Op.cit., pp.31-32
24
The Hindu, Madras, 14th May, 1925
25
Narasingachakaravarthy, History of railway Trade Union Movement, New Delhi, 1985, pp. 31-32
26
The Kudiarasu, Erode, 20th December, 1934
Superstition in the Kudiarasu between 1939 and 1944. Singaravelu passed away on
February 11, 1946 at the age of 86. 27 He was given red burial by the All India Trade
Union Congress Workers he strode like a colossus shaping the destiny of the
Communist movement in the Madras Presidency for nearly 25 years. He first started
the Labour and Kisan Party and later with the influence of Amir Hydar Khan wanted
to unity the labour force and so started the Labour Protection Party. He always
focussed on the formation of a New Indian Government and freedom for the Indian
laborers.28
Singaravelu wrote a letter to Gandhi published in The Hindu on 25th February
1921 that Independence without the real Independence of the labourers and the
peasants could not be considered as Independence of a nation. In order to Safeguard
the interest of the nation, it is essential that industries and land should become a
common property not owned by any one group of people “He worked tirelessly for
the labourers of Indian until his ripe age of 78. In 1938, Singaravelu spoke against
the ban on the Communits party in India. This shows the untiring efforts taken by
him, who was full of passion for the freedom of the nation and the working class
community.29

Amir Hyderkhan - A Trade Unionist

Amir Hyder Khan, a native of Punjab province and one among the founders of
Communism in the Madras Presidency. He had his connection with Communist
ideology since 1925, after getting training in Moscow. He staged Moscow upto 1928
and landed Bombay to extend his support to the Workers of Textile factories there.
He was the backbone for the importation of communist literature to India from
abroad.30 In March 1929, his house was searched be the British Police in connection
with the Meerut Conspiracy Case; a large number of Communist literature and
number of letters were seized.31
Khan came to Madras in May 1931 and established a local branch of the
young worker’s League as a nucleus of the Communist Party. Further, he established
study wings in the campus of the Bills. He wrote many articles on the ideology of

27
Theekathit 12th Conference Tamilnadu Souvenir, CPM, 1985,p.54
28
Ibid., p.53
29
Ibid., p.24
30
Public G.O. No. 946, Confdl. 10th September, 1934
31
Ibid., p.24
Communist party and circulated among the Mill workers between 1931 and 1932.
The British Police arrested and prosecuted him distributing those pamphlets among
the workers. In the trial, he confessed that he was a communist and said that his main
motive was to demoralize the English government. He was convicted November 14,
1932 and sentenced to two years of R.I.32
In 1934, he come forward from the underground and openly focused the
significance of communism among them. The British traced him in Madras on 11 th
August 1934 after suffering his sentence for sedition in a room at Triplicane, Madras,
V.K. Narashimhan, Rajavadively, Russia Manickam, K.S. Bashyam, and Venugopal
and C.S. Subramanyan were the contemporaneous of khan in Madras. The Madras
Police seized the Pamphlets such as “A Letter to the Communist comarades in
Tamilnadu” and “How to organise the Peasants of Tamilnadu” and were prohibited.
Amir Hyder Khan was arrested for introducing these Pamphlets among the workers.
He was kept in Madras jai for again two years. His health condition was affected to a
great extent. He was medically examined at Madras Government Hospital. 33 The
Hindu in its issue dated 18th November 1935 said “AmirKhan a Punjabhi Communist,
state prisoner who was under medical observation in the Madras Pentintiary for the
last two weeks has now been declared to be much improved in health and fit to be
taken back to the Raja Mundry Jail where he was under detention. 34
At a public meeting that was organised on November 1 st 1935 at the High
Court beach under the banner of the Labour Protection League i.e, resolution was
passed demanding the release of Amir Hyder Khan. With the support of labourers
and peasants, he wanted to overthrow the Capitalish and the Zamindars. He had close
contacts with the senior communist leaders. Even when thrown in to the prison, he
was undeterred and he established contacts with men inside the Ranamundry jail.
Thus he was able to train many men who became his ardent followers and who later
emerged as the prominent leaders of Communist party. 35 As a team all these men
furthered the cause of communism. Though Amir Khan himself was not physically
present amidst the men, they carried out the prans of the communist party in the
Madras Presidency. He was the source of inspiration and guiding factor to leaders
like P. Sundarayya, B. Srinivas Rao, Jeevanantham and A.S.K. Iyengar.

32
Public G.O. No. 946, Confdl. 10th September, 1934
33
Ibid., p.24
34
The Hindu, Madras, 18th November, 1935
35
The Navasakthi, Madras, 19th November, 1935
 S.V. Ghate was another note worthy Communist leaders of Madras
Presidency, who was one of the pioneers of Communist movement in this Bombay
region. Ghate, who rendered signed service for the emergence of the Communist
Party in Tamilnadu. Ghate also involved in the Meerat Conspiracy case and he came
to Madras and stayed for a period of four years from 1936 to 1940. He was helped by
C.S. Subramanyan, who had just then returned from England. He was known as the
train behind the party in Tamilnadu. He helped Ghate as a member of the editorial
board of the Janasakthi. He belonged to an Orthedox Prahmin family of Mangalore.
Later, he went to Bombay and net S.A. Dange. He attended as a representative from
Bombay for the conference of 1925 at Kanpur. Ghate was also the editor of a
monthly New Age.36
Ghate involved himself in the establishment of trade unions like the Press
Workers Union, Framway Electricity workers Union, Toddy Tappers Union etc., His
all along carrier was supported by Jeevanantham, the editor of the Janasakthi. He
met Singaravelu in Madras in 1936 and the latter asked him to build a powerful trade
union movement and a strong Communist party in Tamilnadu. Ghate was allowing
contacted by the Press Union, Railway Labour Union, and Corporation Workers
Union to explain the functioning of a Trade Union and Political movement. Through
his initiative within a year in 1938, the Jesur Press printed 17 books of which deal
with the several aspects of Communism.37
Ghat’s for years of stay in Madras was the most fruitful period of his life and it
was during that period he contributed solidly to the growth f the Communist Party in
the Madras Presidency. On his part, it was an all around effort to meet the leaders
like Singaravelu, Amir Hyder Khan, Srinivasa Rao, Jeevanantham, A.S.K. Iyengar,
P. Ramamoorthy, K. Murugesan and others. After his internment in Mangalore in
1940, he was again arrested and taken to Vellore jail. Later he was transferred to
Deoli along with A.S.K. Iyengar. They were back in Vellore jail and remained the till
1944.38
P. Jeevanantham
‘ Jeeva ‘ @ Jeevanantham was born at Bhoothapandi in Kanyakumari area. In
his you the days, he was religions man but later turned out to be an atheist. His
association with Gandhism made him a sympathizer of the Harijans. As Karaikudi,
36
K.Murugasen, S.V. Ghate, New Delhi, 1931, pp.70-71
37
The Janasakthi, Madras, 22nd August, 1936
38
K.Murugasen,Op.cit., p.73
he founded the Gandhi Ashram. In 1927, Gandhi visited the Ashram. He involved
him pelt in the Samadharma movement and left the Gandhi Ashram and there after he
fully involved in the Indian National Movement. 39 He was arrested and imprisoned
during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 and 1932 and while he was in jail,
he met Bhuthakesavara Dutt and Kundanlal, who were close associated of Bhaget
Sing. He read the socks on Communism and socialism. The prison thus became
freeing ground of the future of Communist leaders. He realised the people’s
movement would could the public together to achieve the immediate goal of
overthrowing the British.40
In 1935, the first socialist Congress conference was held under the
Presidentship of Dinakar Metha. Jeevanantham was elected as its General Secretary.
Their first false was to organise the workers as they formed the backbone of the
movement. In 1936, the Madras Presidency Trade Union Congress, i.e, wing of the
All India Trade Union Congress was formed and it made Jeeva as its President. 41 On
October 29, 1939 Jeeva was arrested for his anti - was speeches. The British Officials
through that Jeva should not be allowed to be the President of the Union. On
September 12, 1939 Jeeva spoke in the meeting of the Press workers union at Madras.
He stated that Indias contribution to the First world war informs of men and money
who 12, 00,000 (men) and Rs.210, 00, 00,000. This was a great loss and therefore, he
urged non - participation in the Second World War.42

On September 25, 1939 he addressed the workers at Madras on the need to

over throw the British. On September 27, 1939 he spoke at Dindigul meeting that
when the British removed their Military might from India to fight the war, it would be
easier to over throw imperialism. Between October 1 1939 to October 30 Jeeva Spoke
a number of anti war propagandas in Madras, Trichi, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur,
Kumbakonam, Madurai, and other prominent places of Tamilnadu. 43 The theme of
speeches of Jeeva was purely anti-war propaganda messages. The Whirl wind tour
was under taken of Jeeva to impress on the working class people; the need to over
throw the British imperialism.44 The Hindu, in its issue dated 10th November 1939
39
K.Balathandayatnab, Jeeva Vazhkai Varalaru, Madras, 1966, p.27
40
Ibid., p.29-30
41
The Hindu, Madras, 30th October, 1939
42
The Kudiarasu, Erode, !4th September, 1939
43
Ibid., 26th September, 1939
44
Public G.O. No. 2001, Confdl. 15th November, 1939
explained the reason for his arrest. Jeeva was bound over to keep peace and be of
good behavior for one year in jail. The Magistrate observed that he made seditious
speeches with the intention to promote feelings of hatred between classes and
communities and if he was not bound over, he would carry on with his seditious
speeches.45
In 1942, though all communists were released as a remit of the changed
attitude of the British Government, Jeeva was sent to Travancore. In 1945, he became
the president of Tamilnadu Communist Party. From 1945 to 1947, Jeeva participated
in almost all the strikes, organised by the Communists in Tamilnadu. 46 In 1937, Jeeva
started the Janasakthi, a Tamil Weekly amidst stiff pressure from British police. The
Jesus press of Madras published the issues of the paper upto 1939. The Janasakthi
was revived in 1942, under the editorship of Jeeva. He was a regular contributor to
the Kudiarasu, the Puratchi, the Pahutharivu and etc.47 Moreover, Jeeva translated
why am I am Atheist? of Bhagat singh in to Tamil in 1934, published by E.V.
Ramasamy. The Tamil version ‘ Nan’ Yen Nathikkan Annen? was proscribed by the
Government of Madras in 1914. Jeeva was also a verse writer; he published a number
of Tamil verses on the concept of communism. 48 He became a Member of Madras
Legislative Assembly in 1951. He visited Russia in 1962. Jeeva passed away in 1963.
He was a staunch supporter of communist ideology till his death.49

Other Prominent Communist Leaders

The Communist Party of madras Presidency has produced a number of active
leaders who came from different parts of Madras presidency, B. Srinivasa Rao, who
hailed from South Rannara, extended his full support to the peasants of Tamilnadu.
Jeeva encourged him in all aspects of his life in the party. He was the main leader of
Kisan Movement in Tamilnadu. Likewise Jeeva, he himself was not interested in his
religion and participated in the struggles against the British imperialism. He was
attracted by the success of Communism in Russia Many times; he was imprisoned by
the British police. After his release from Salem jail in 1934, joined the Labour
Protection League with P. Sundaraya. He founded the Snuff Workers Union in
45
The Hindu, Madrs,10th November, 1939
46
The Hindu, Madrs,19th October, 1945
47
The Janasakthi, Madras, 29th November, 1945
48
V.Venkatraman, “Why Am I Atheist? Of Bhagat Singh at Crossroads in the Madras Presidency-
1931-34” Modern Rationalist, Vol -37 February 2012 pp.8-12
49
K.Balathandayutham, Op.cit., pp.99-101
Madras in 1935 when the Congress socialist party was formed; he joined the party and
became its secretary in Tamilnadu.50
Srinivasa Rao addressed several meetings of the Communist party at
Tondaiyarpet, Madras (4-7-1938). Veppery, Madras (27-1-1939) i sulaimedu,
Madras (28-2-1939); and Highcourt Beach (01-03-1939). In these meetings, he
appealed to the Congress Ministry to settle the strike of labourers and raised the
slogans “Down with Police atrocities, Down with British imperialism.” 51 Under the
advice of Ghate, he went to the interior villages of Tamilnadu where he bought the
peasants to the Communist Party. Basically he was a Kanadian, he spoke to these
peasants in Tamil efficiently and collected them to the Communism. He was the
anchorperson of staging many Communist dramas in various places of Tamilnadu. He
raised a strong slogan against the landlords at watrap by organising protest meeting on
August 22, 1946 for which he was convicted.52
Other prominent Communist leaders like A.S.K. Iyengar, K. Murugesan of
Nagapatinam, P. Ramamurthy, Ilango, C.S. Subramaniam, G. Parthasarathy, M.
Kalyana Sundaram, M.R. Venkataraman, A. Balasubramanian and M. Sankaraiah
were also contributed very much to the Communist activities in Tamilnadu.
The Hindu in its issue dated 7th October 1936 stated that a Notice was issued
to P. Ramamurthy, to be bound over for the speeches made at various public meetings
in and around Madras in 1936. But he was released on bail. The Government said that
P. Ramamurthy was an active member of the Madras Congress socialist party and
secretary of the Madras City youth League and under the auspices of the socialist
party and Trade Unions; he delivered Objectionable speeches in the city. They were
inflammatory and calculated to excite disaffection towards the government.53
The Hindu published an article on ‘ P. Ramamurthy’s case on 10 th November
1936, it stated that P. Ramamurthy, who was bound over and was asked to execute a
bond for Rs.500/- and to furnish two sureties for the like sum and he executed the
bonds required. He got the support of the laborers in various strikes organised by him.
He got legal assistance from M.R. Venkataraman. 54 By 1939, when the world war

50
R.Nallakannu, B.S.R. Vazhkai Varalaru, Madras, 1974, pp.4-5
51
Public G.O. No. 1372, Confdl. 8th August, 1938
52
Public G.O. No. 965, Confdl. 14th June, 1939
53
The Hindu, Madras, 7th October, 1936
54
Ibid., 10th November,1936
brokeout Ramamurthy was interned in his village in Veppattur. But he went
underground and did his work among the people.
All these communist leaders urged the people to over throw the British
imperialism. They stressed the need for labour and peasants unity. However, the
Communists had to remain in jails until 1942, when the war took a different turn
which resulted in the release of the Communists. But they were once again arrested on
various charges and put behind the bars. On August 15, 1947 the cases against the
Communists were withdrawn and they were freed from jails.55

Political Writings on Labour Movement

Singaravelu was the pioneer of Communist Labour movement in the Madras
Presidency. It could be stated that the Communist labour movement founded before
1931 led to the foundation of the Communist Party in the Madras Presidency. Dr.
Annie Besant stated that an All India Labour Organissation was necessary in India to
make the European capitalists respect Indian Opinion. She told this statement on,
October 18, 1918 in a private meeting orgainsed by Young Men’s Indian Association
in Madras.56 A central Labour Board was formed in madras in 1918. It led to the
formation of the Madras Labour union on April 27, 1918. B.P. Wadia became the
President; Kesava Pillai and Kalyana Sundara Mudali were its Vice-Presidents.57
The Madras Labour Union orgainsed a labour meeting on 2 nd May, 1918 at
Perambur barracks. It was the first organised attempt of the labourers in Madras. They
discussed various aspects of labour problems and issues.58 On 22 December and 28
December 1918, meetings were organised at the Buckingham Carnatic Mills
respectively and appointed a secretary for each 19 departments and a General
Secretary for each mill. It was attended by 800 workers. 59 On January 6, 1919, a
labour meeting was held by the workers of the Madras Tramway Union at Madras. A
meeting was conducted at the Perambur Railway workshop and 400 workers were
present in that meeting.60 On 12th February 1919, about 4000 workers, and general
public gathered on the Marina beach. V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Subramania Siva

55
P.Ramamurthy, Theikathir M.R.V. Ninaivumalar, Madras, 1983,pp. 6-7
56
Fortnightly Report, first half of November, 1918
57
The New India, Madras, 29th October, 1918
58
Fortnightly Report, first half of December, 1918
59
Public G.O. No. 1062, Confdl. 2nd December, 1918
60
Fortnightly Report, second half of January, 1918
were delivered specches on the Rowlett Bills.61 On March 09, 1919, V.O.C. and
Subramania Siva took the lead of the Labour movement in Madras. On March 19,
Gandhi met the Labour unions of Madras. The Labour Movement had its progress
when the workmen of various printing presses met on April 13, 1919 and resolved to
form a “ Madras Printing Press Men’s Union. Gandhi was made its Honorary
President and Subramania Iyer of Tramway union became its Vice-President.62
The first Labour Conference was held on March 21, 1920 at Madras and 3000
labourers atended the meeting. Madras based all labour unions were represented the
meeting. They proposed to start a newspaper for labourers. The first issue of the
Navasakthi the new labour daily was released on October 22, 1920. 63 Thereafter, the
Labour unions of all concerns started organising strikes. The popular strikes of the
periods like the Buckingham - Carnatic Mill strike (October 29, 1918); Madras
General Hospital (19, November 1918); The Burma Oil Company strike (February
1919); the Oakel and Company strike 916 March 1919); and the Madura Coats strike
(January 17-19, 1922) were important ones.64
The Hindu in its issue dated January 29, 1920 reported the reason for the
Madura Mills strike, that the depromotion of a Maistry to the position of a coolie. It
was the first of its kind in Madurai region. The District Collector of Madurai wrote to
the Chief Secretary that the workers had gone back to work unconditionally, after the
advice made by George Joseph.65 The Hindu also revealed the fact that the union
unrest was stopped because of the efforts of George Joseph. From 1920 onwards, the
Labour movement becomes very popular in all the districts of Tamilnadu. In the
meantime, the newspapers started publishing frequent articles on the Labour
movement in Tamilnadu. They are as follows:-
The Government of India pointed out that certain objectionable literature had
crept into India and notification was issued to the Presidency Governments to forfeit
them. These were considered as Instrumental aiding the cause of labour unrest. In
terms of the Government Notification, all copies of the book entitled “India in
Transition” by M.N. Roy, published at Geneva and extracts of the same were ordered
to be forfeited. They were considered to be containing materials in contempt of the

61
Ibid., second half of February, 1919
62
The Swadesamitran, Madras, 10 March, 1919
63
The Navasakthi, Madras, 20th October, 1920
64
Public G.O. No. 221, Confdl. 9th March, 1922
65
The Hindu, Madras, 29th January, 1920
Government. From this government ban on Communist writings written by M.N.Roy
and others; it could be inferred that communism was gradually filtering doom into the
labour movement in the Madras Presidency.66
The Fortnightly Report of May, 1922 reported that a few well-known
extremists like Subramania Siva and Singaravelu had published a scheme named after
the Hindustan Panchayat. It contemplated the organisation of a system of parallel
government in selected villages. It proposed to have a village executive in charge of
separate departments, village courts and schools, a monthly budget and taxation and a
yearly meeting of all the inhabitants on October 2 every year on ‘Gandhi Day’. 67 It
was spelled out in apamplet entitled ‘ A Challenge ‘ , issued under the authority of the
communist Federal League of India. It was widely circulated among the villagers
secretly. The Government of Madras proscribed the said pamphlet, which was written
by Neela Kanda Brahmachari, one of convicts of the Ashe Murder case. The
extremists sponsored him for its publication.68
Enforcing the Sea customs Act 1878, a copy of the pamphlet entitled “India’s
problem and its solution”, by M.N.Roy was also prohibited entry into British India.
Before 1924, the Communists in Tamilnadu wanted to follow a path of non-violent
struggle. At the same time, they wanted the labourers to put a united front for the
redressed of their grievances against the capitalists. The Government’s fear of
communist activities, could be seen from the following order issued by them; “
Political letters M.N.Roy and all other documents containing copies of translation of,
or extract from the said publication was much as it contains seditious matter, the
publication of which is punishable under section 124-A of Indian Penal Code.” The
trend was continued upto 1933. A large number of communist writings were
prohibited, its entry into India.69
Many newspapers wrote in a tone strengthening the cause of Tamilnadu
labourers. They stated after the Meerat conspiracy case action was launched by the
government against many communists, extremists, trade union leaders and peasants.
The Government of Madras simply acted on the information produced by the C.I.D.
and a number of labourers and peasants were made to undergo imprisonment for at

66
Fortnightly Report, second half of May, 1922
67
Ibid.,
68
The Swarajya, Madras, 4th October, 1922
69
Public G.O. No. 405, Confdl. 5th June, 1924
least four years.70 The Gandhi in its issue dated September 3, 1933 stated;” will the
government learn a lesson at least from this case and refrain from believing the words
of the secret police to be gospel.”.71
The Vedigundu( The Bomb ) of Madurai published an article on the condition
of working class people in India which it said had became deplorable. Every where
there was reduction of wages and retrenchment of staff. These were done on the
prefect of trade depression. The socialist movement had not solved the problem of
labourers and so the paper urged that the labourers should remain united and strive for
their advancement. This comment of the paper was made because the socialists were
not given a free hand in solving problems of the workers.72
In the Madras presidency, the following orgainsations intended to or were
likely to promote the communist spirit:-
1) The Free Thinkers Association
2) The Sept - respect League @ the Samadharma Party
3) The Madras Young Workers League
4) The Indian Workers Equality League
5) The Hindustan Samayavadi Sangam
6) Labour Organisation
7) Ryots’ Association73
The Chief Secretary of Government of Madras stated that Communism had
already gained its footing in the Madras province and though it was not dangerous in
the immediate future, it might develop into dangerous dimensions. The National
Literacy publishing Co-functioned Ostensibly for the collection of books on
international problems but in reality it worked for the collection and dissemination of
Communist literature. Inspite of strict vigilance, the communists became more and
more active and they even started on English monthly paper the New Age in April
74
1933. The first issue contained contributions from V.K. Naroshiman of the Young
workers League, H.D. Rajah and N.S. Srinivasa Iyer, an associate of Mukundlal Sir
Car. The Government of Madras brought the Madras Conspiracy case against the

70
The Vedigundu, Madurai, 5th October, 1924
71
The Gandhi, Madras, 3rd September,1933
72
The Vedigundu, Madurai, 5th October, 1924
73
U.S.S. File No. 897, Confdl. 26th February,1934
74
U.S.S. File No. 898, Confdl. 26th February,1934
Communists and arrested many leaders of communism. Once they came out of the
jail, they wanted to kill the British officers and bring about India’s independence.75
There was a vigorous communist propaganda and activities all over the
Madras Presidency due to Singaravelu and others in 1935. There were non-communist
leaders with strong leftist tendencies like V. Chakkarai Chetti and Kalyana Sundra
Mudaliar. They too vigorously involved in the labour movement in Tamilnadu.
Before 1942, the communist party was an anti-British and the British Government
was anti-communist during the Second World War. In 1942, the ban on the
communist party was lifted and the party was permitted to involve in the active
politics. They extended to support the British Government, Later; the Communists
took up the cause of the Indian national movement when Gandhi, Nehru and other
leaders of Congress were put in this prison.
The Government of India Act of 1935 encouraged the congress party to form
the Government in Centre and also in the Provinces & Madras Presidency; C.
Rajagopalachari formed his ministry in 1937. The Congress did not case about the
issues of labourers. Hence, they shouted slogan against the Congress ministry.
Between 1937 and 1940, total number of labour strikes and lockouts doubled and the
number of workers who involved in strikes increased more than five times before.
This led to the misunderstanding between the Congress and communists. Anti-
Congress sentiments were common in Tamilnadu from 1937; the New Age 76and the
Janalathi the communist Journals took the issue and propagated the anti-Government
stand.77
On October 30, 1936, S.A. Dange, the editor of the socialist, paper published
an article, “why land Lordissm and private Ownership of Industries should go? “ In
this article, his analytical survey on the position of Laborers and their involvement in
the national struggle were critically analyzed. Thus Dange’s analytical study brought
a clear view of the aim of socialists and their role to be played in the national
movement.78 In the meantime, the Government of Madras searched at the Madras
provincial Co-operative union Library without any proper warrant and seized the
following communist literature, on February 8, 1937.79

75
Fortnightly Report, second half of April, 1933
76
Public G.O. No. 2027, 9th December, 1936
77
The Janasakthi, Madras, 30th October, 1933
78
The Indian Express, Madras, 30th October, 1936
79
Public G.O. No. 414, 26th February, 1937
1) The Nature of Capitalist Crisis
2) Nationalism in Soviet Union
3) What we Law in the Soviet Union
4) Russia-Today and Tomorrow
5) Condition of working class in England.80
The Indian Express, in its issue dated February 10, 1937 stated that an
enquiry should have been made with the Libranian regarding possession of proscribed
books. It said that a little more intelligence was required on the part of C.I.D. of
Madras.81 The seized books against serial No. 3 to 5 were returned to the Librarian,
and the others were prohibited by the government. Another book “Sidney and
Beatrice webb “was a treatise on communism. It contained a lengthy analysis of the
Soviet Union, and its political organisation. It dealt with subjects like man as a
citizen, Man as a producer, Man as a Consumer and Man in the vocation of
leadership. Further, it analysed the Industrialisation of Russia and its agricultural
developments through collective farms and co-operative marketing, Russian
administration, Russian Industrial and military potential and also Russia’s cultural and
other state wide organisations. Publications of its kind and pamphlets and Newspapers
dealing with communism were ever watched by the Government of Madras
vigilantly.82
Between 1936 and 1938, there were a number of strikes organised in the
different mills of Tamil province such as ‘ Coimbatore spinning and wearing Mill
strike (1936); the Buckingham & Carnatic Mill strike (June 1936); the Madura Mills
strike (September 1937); the Saradha Mill strike (November 1937); Papanasam Mills,
Trinelveli (Nov.1937); the Choolai Mills Strike (Dec. 1937); the Madura Coats strike
(January 1938); and the Saroja Mills strike, Coimbatore (Jan 1938) About 10,000
workers were found guilty for participating in these mill strikes of the period. The
Police took severe actions against the Communist leaders and labour union leaders of
these mills.83 Commenting on these mill strikes, The Hindu dated February 16, 1938
said that the strikers were lathi charged and that several labourers received severe
injuries. Some were treated in the hospitals of respective regions. Lockouts were

80
Public G.O. No. 187, 9th December, 1939
81
The Indian Express, Madras, 10th February, 1937
82
Public G.O. No. 414, 26th February, 1937
83
Public G.O. No. 904, Ordinary, 28th May, 1938
pronounced and the police guarded the mill premises. 84 The Madras Mill in its issue
on the same case made a similar comment on the labours strikes. The Indian Express
dated February 17, 1938 commented that in a clash two sub-inspectors and many
workers were injured.85 The Vahinr a Telugu newspaper dated March 27, 1938 gave a
statement of P. Ramamurthy, secretary of District Ryots Association, “Police
constable outraged women’s modesty and beat ryots and workers black and blue”.
Further, the editor insisted that the excess committed by the Police on coolies at
Coimbatore should be heard by Rajagopalachari by conducting an enquiry. For this
comment, the editor was warned by the Government. 86 The Sentinel of Bombay on
March 29, 1938 commented “Horrible tales of lathi Charge, men fatally beaten and
women outraged in Coimbatore. The Press of the period uniformly published the
outrages on the women workers in Coimbatore in 1938. 87 In September 1938, a strike
was took place in the Government press against the promotion of an Anglo-Indian
worker. About 1800 workers went on strike. About 46 workers of Madras publishing
Hon’ble were arrested for a strike. On February 28, 1939, a driver of a motor car
carrying the workers not striking to Madras publishing House ran over a striker. The
strikers took out processions with anti-capitalist and police slogans.88
R. Balan published a leaflet, printed at Jesu Press, under the authority of
Varadha Rajalu, the President and A.S.K. Iyengar, the General Secretary of the
Madras Press workers Union. It narrated the incident of the worker run over by the car
and said that the man on whom the car was driven vomited blood and was admitted to
the Hospital in a very serious condition.89 The workers were asked to go to people’s
park and from there in a procession to the High Court Beach in front of the secretariat
to attend the public protest meeting. But the processionists were not prosecuted on
that day.90
The Hindu dated May 8, 1939 published an article related to the strikes in the
East India sugar company at Nelli-Kuppam and Ranipet. The paper said” unnecessary
lathi charge on peaceful procession of 150 labourers. 50 wounded seriously leader
arrested position pitiable intervene immediately”. 91 The Janasakthi dated may 13,
84
The Hindu, Madras, 16th February, 1938
85
The Indian Express, Madras, 17th February, 1938
86
The Vahini, Madras, 27th March, 1938
87
Public G.O. No. 957, Confdl., 8th June, 1938
88
Fortnightly Report, first half of March, 1939
89
Public G.O. No. 520, Confdl., 28th March, 1939
90
Public G.O. No. 965, Confdl., 14th June, 1939
91
The Hindu, Madras, 8th May, 1939
1939 writes the issue; “We wish to remind the Government of Madras of the
resolution passed recently by the Tamilnadu Congress working Committee, requesting
the Government to see that workers who went on strike are not victimized.” 92 The
paper further said that since the Premier intervened and the situation was peaceful, the
workers and their leader who were sentenced to imprisonment should be released
unconditionally. During the strike, the police had resorted to violence and more than
40 workers received lathi blows. Finally, the strike was withdrawn and the ban was
removed by the Government.93

92
The Janaskthi, Madras, 13th May,1939
93
Public G.O. No. 1042, Ordinary, 26th June, 1939.