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The Madras Mahajana Sabha (1884)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

November 23, 2022

The Madras Mahajana Sabha, a regional political organization and the forerunner of the Indian National Congress, was founded in May 1884 at Ellis Road Junction, Mount Road in Madras district (present-day Chennai) by M Veeraraghavachariar, G Subramania Iyer, and P Ananda Charlu. The aim was to liberate the nation from British rule and resolve national issues, as stated at the Adayar Theosophical Society conference. Since then, the Sabha has advocated for a variety of measures while remaining moderate, including tax reduction, cuts in government and military spending, the abolition of the Council of India in London, concurrent Civil Service exams in England and India, and fundamental rights for its fellow citizens, such as national freedom. The first president of this Sabha was P Rangaiah Naidu.

In April 1930, the Madras Mahajana Sabha launched the Salt Satyagraha in George Town, Esplanade, High Court, and Beach neighbourhoods (all localities in Madras). It also participated in the 1942 Quit India Movement, which resulted in several members being brutally beaten and imprisoned by British authorities. The Sabha continued the freedom struggle on behalf of the Indian National Congress after the British government outlawed it. Besides instilling patriotic feelings in citizens, they also held a series of exhibitions, including the All-India Khadi Exhibition and the Swadeshi Exhibition. Apart from that, it fostered cooperation among local institutions.

The Sabha, which commemorated its centenary in 1985 and its 125th anniversary in 2010, peacefully protested the British government policies and is a reminder of the efforts made for India's freedom.

 

Source: Indian Culture Portal

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