K. Kamaraj
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K. Kamaraj
கு. காமராஜ் |
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Member
of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Nagercoil
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In
office
1967–1975 |
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Preceded by
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Succeeded by
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Constituency
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Member
of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for Sattur
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In
office
1957–1967 |
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Preceded by
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Succeeded by
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Constituency
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Member
of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for Gudiyatham
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In
office
1954–1957 |
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Preceded by
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Rathnaswamy and A. J. Arunachala
Mudaliar
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Succeeded by
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Constituency
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In
office
1954–1963 |
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Preceded by
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Succeeded by
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Member
of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Srivilliputhur
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In
office
1952–1954 |
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Preceded by
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None
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Succeeded by
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Constituency
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Srivilliputhur
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President
of the Indian
National Congress (Organisation)
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In
office
1967–1971 |
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Preceded by
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None
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Succeeded by
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President
of the Indian
National Congress
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In
office
1963–1967 |
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Preceded by
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Succeeded by
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President
of the Madras Provincial Congress Committee
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In
office
1946–1952 |
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Succeeded by
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Personal
details
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Born
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Died
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Nationality
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India
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Political party
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Religion
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Signature
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Kumarasami Kamaraj (Tamil: குமாரசாமி காமராஜ்) better
known as K. Kamaraj (15 July 1903 – 2 October 1975) was an Indian politician from Tamil Nadu
widely acknowledged as the "Kingmaker" in Indian politics during the
1960s. He was the chief
minister of Tamil Nadu during
1954–1963 and a Member of Parliament
during 1952–1954 and 1969–1975. He was known for his simplicity and integrity.
He was involved in the Indian
independence movement. As a high-ranking office bearer of the Indian
National Congress, he was instrumental in bringing to
power two Prime Ministers, Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964 and Indira Gandhi
in 1966. In Tamil Nadu, his home state, he is still remembered for bringing school
education to millions of the rural poor by introducing free education and the free Midday Meal Scheme during his tenure as chief minister. He was awarded India's
highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna,
posthumously in 1976. The domestic terminal of the Chennai airport
is named "Kamaraj Terminal", Chennai's Beach Road renamed
"Kamarajar Salai", Bengaluru's
North Parade Road as "K. Kamaraj Rd." and the Madurai
Kamaraj University in his honour.
Early
life
Kamaraj was born on 15 July 1903 to
Kumarasamy Nadar and Sivakami Ammal at Virudhunagar
in Tamil Nadu.
He belongs to the Nadar community
of southern Tamil Nadu.His real name was Kamakshi and his mother affectionately
called him Raja and later his name became Kamaraj(Kamatchi + Raja). His parents were from a trading family. His father
Kumarasamy Nadar, was a coconut merchant. In 1907, four years after the birth
of Kamaraj his sister Nagammal was born. At age 5 (1907), Kamaraj was admitted to traditional
school(called 'Thinnai Palli' in Tamil which was a system of school available
in the past) on the next day of "Saraswathy Pooja". In 1908, he was admitted in Yenadhi Narayana Vidhya Salai.
In 1909 Kamaraj was admitted in Virudupatti High School—Kshtriya Vidhyasala
which is the only high school in Virdhupatti. Kamaraj's father died when he was six years old and his
mother was forced to support her family by selling her jewellery. In 1914,
Kamaraj dropped out of school to support his family. After that he worked in his uncle's clothshop as a
salesboy.
During this time, he started joining
processions and attended public meetings about Home Rule
Movement and British Rule addressed by
orators like Dr. Varadarajulu Naidu, V.Kalyana Sundara Mudaliar and George
Joseph. Kamaraj developed interest in prevailing political
conditions by reading newspapers daily.
Punjab
Massacre was the decisive turning point in
his life and at this point he decided his aim was to fight for the National
freedom and to bring an end to foreign rule. In 1920, at the age of 18 he became active political worker
and joined Congress as full-time worker. In 1921, Kamaraj was organising public meetings at
Virudhunagar for congress leaders. He was eager to meet Gandhi and when Gandhi
visited Madhurai on September 21, 1921, Kamaraj attended Gandhi's public
meeting and met him for the first time in person. He visited villages carrying
Congress propaganda .
In 1922, Congress was boycotting the
visit of Prince of Wales as part of Non-cooperation
movement. Kamaraj came to Madras and took
part in this event. Kamaraj participated in the famous Vaikom Satyagraha
led by George Joseph against the atrocities of the higher caste Hindus on the
Harijans. In 1923–25, Kamaraj participated in Nagpur Flag Satyagraha
. In 1927, Kamaraj started Sword Satyagraha in Madras and
also he was chosen to lead the Neil Statue Satyagraha but it was given up later in view of Simon Commission
boycott. Kamaraj lead almost all the agitation and demonstration
against the British rule.
Kamaraj was first jailed in June 1930
for two years in Alipore Jail, Calcutta for participation in "Salt Satyagraha" led by Rajagopalachari at Vedaranyam and was released
earlier in 1931 in consequence of Gandhi-Irwin Pact
before he could serve full term imprisonment .
In 1932, Section 144 was imposed in
Madras prohibiting the holdings of meetings and organising procession against
the arrest of Gandhi in Bombay. In Virdhunagar under Kamaraj leadership
everyday processions and demonstrations happened. Kamaraj was arrested again in
Jan 1932 and sentenced for 1 year imprisonment.
In 1933, Kamaraj was falsely implicated
in the Virudhunagar bomb case. Dr. Varadarajulu Naidu and George Joseph argued
on Kamaraj's behalf and proved the charges to be baseless .
Kamaraj was doing a vigorous
campaign through the state asking people not to contribute to war funds when Sir
Arthur Hope the Madras Governor was collecting
contributions to funds for Second World War. In Dec 1940, he was arrested again
at Guntur under the 'Defence of Indian Rules' for speeches opposing
contributions to the war fund and sent to Vellore Central Prison while he was
on his way to Wardha to get Gandhiji's approval for a list of Satyagrahis.
While he was in jail, he was elected as Municipal Council of Virudhunagar. He got
released 9 months later in Nov 1941 and he resigned from his post as he thought
he had greater responsibility for the nation . His principle was "One should not accept any post to
which one could not do full justice".
In 1942, Kamaraj attented All India
Congress Committee in Bombay and returned to spread propaganda material for the
"Quit India Movement" called by Gandhiji. The Police issued orders to
all the leaders who attented this Bombay session. Kamaraj did not want to get
arrested before he takes the message to all district and local leaders. He
decided not to goto Madras and decided to cut short his trip and saw large
number of policemen waiting for the arrest of congress leaders in Arakonam. He
managed to escape from the police and went to Ranipet, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai
and informed local leaders about the Programme. He reached Virdhunagar after
finishing his work and sent message to the local police that he was ready to be
arrested. He was arrested on August 1942. He was under detention for 3 years
and was released on June 1945. This was the last term of his prison life
Kamaraj was imprisoned six times by
British and spent nine years in jail for his Pro-Independence activities
Politics
On 13 April 1954, K. Kamaraj became
the Chief Minister of Madras Province.
To everyone's surprise, Kamaraj nominated C. Subramaniam
and M. Bhakthavatsalam, who had contested his leadership, to the newly formed
cabinet. Never did Kamaraj aspire for any post in the party or in the
administration. For him the posts were like a towel over the shoulder . Without
any hesitation he chose to quit posts for the benefit of future generation .
Education
Kamaraj, removed the family vocation
based Hereditary
Education Policy introduced by Rajaji. The State made immense strides in education and trade. New
schools were opened, so that poor rural students were to walk no more than 3
miles (4.8 km) to their nearest school. Better facilities were added to
existing ones. No village remained without a primary school and no panchayat
without a high school. Kamaraj strove to eradicate illiteracy by introducing
free and compulsory re education up to the eleventh standard. He introduced the
Midday Meal Scheme to provide at least one meal per day to the lakhs of poor
school children (first time in the world). He introduced free school uniforms
to weed out caste, creed and class distinctions among young minds.
During British regime the education
was only 7 percent. But in Kamaraj's period it reached 37% . Apart from
increasing number of schools, steps were taken to improve standard of
education. To improve the standards, number of working day were increased from
180 to 200. Unnecessary holidays were reduced. Syllabus were prepared to give
opportunity to various abilities. Kamaraj and Sri Bishnuram Medhi (Governor)
took efforts to establish IIT Madras
in 1959.
Agriculture
Major irrigation schemes were
planned in Kamaraj's period . Dams and irrigation canals were build across
Lower Bhavani, Mani
Muthar, Aarani, Vaigai, Amaravathi,
Sathanur, Krishnagiri,
Pullambadi,
Parambikulam
and Neyyaru among others. The Lower Bhavani Dam in Erode district brought
207,000 acres (840 km2) of land under cultivation. 45,000 acres
(180 km2) of land benefited from canals constructed from Mettur Dam.
Vaigai and Sathanur systems facilitated cultivation across thousands of acres
of lands in Madurai and North Arcot districts respectively. Rs 30 crores were
planned to be spent for Parambikulam River scheme in Kamaraj's period. 150
lakhs of acres of lands was brought under cultivation. One third of this i.e.
56 lakhs of acres of land got permanent irrigation facility.
In 1957–61 1,628 Tanks were
de-silted under Small Irrigation Scheme 2000 wells were dug with outlets. Long
term loans with 25% subsidy were given to farmers. Apart from farmers who are
having dry lands were given oil engines, electric pump sets on installment
basis.
Commerce
and Industry
Industries with huge investments in
crores of Rupees were started in his period. Neyveli
Lignite Corporation, BHEL at Trichy, Manali Oil Refinery, Hindustan raw photo film
factory at Ooty, Surgical instruments factory at Chennai, Railway Coach factory
at Chennai were established. Industries such as paper, sugar, chemicals and
cement took off during the period.
Kamaraj's
First Cabinet
Kamaraj's council of ministers
during his first tenure as Chief Minister(13 April 1954–31 March 1957):
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Minister
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Portfolios
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K.
Kamaraj
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Chief
Minister, Public and Police in the Home Department
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Agriculture,
Forests, Fisheries, Cinchona, Rural Welfare, Community Projects, National
Extension Scheme, Women’s Welfare, Industries and Labour and Animal Husbandry
and Veterinary
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Finance,
Food, Education, Elections and Information and Publicity and Law (Courts and
Prisons)
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Medical
and Public Health, Co-operation, Housing and Ex-servicemen.
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Land
Revenue, Commercial Taxes and Rural Development
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Public
Works, Accommodation Control, Engineering Colleges, Stationery and Printing
including Establishment questions of the Stationery Department and the
Government Press
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Transport,
Harijan Uplift, Hindu Religious Endowments, Registration and Prohibition
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Local
Administration
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Changes
- Following the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, A. B. Shetty quit the Ministry on 1 March 1956 and his portfolio was shared between the other ministers.
Kamaraj's
Second Cabinet
Kamaraj's council of ministers
during his second tenure as Chief Minister (1 April 1957–1 March 1962)
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Minister
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Portfolios
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K.
Kamaraj
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Chief
Minister, Public, Planning and Development (including Local development
Works, Women's Welfare, Community Projects and Rural Welfare), National Extension
Scheme
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Home
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Finance
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Industries
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Revenue
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Works
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Electricity
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Local
Administration
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Kamaraj's
Third Cabinet
Kamaraj's council of ministers
during his third tenure as Chief Minister(3 March 1962–2 October 1963)
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Minister
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Portfolios
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K.
Kamaraj
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Chief
Minister, Public, Planning and Development (including Local development Works,
Women's Welfare, Community Projects and Rural Welfare), National Extension
Scheme
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Finance
and Education
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Jothi
Venkatachalam
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Public
Health
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Revenue
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Local
Administration
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Agriculture
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Public
Works and Revenue
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N.
Nallasenapathi Sarkarai Mandradiar
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Cooperation
and Forests
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Publicity
and Information
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Kamaraj
Plan
Kamaraj remained Chief Minister for three
consecutive terms, winning elections in 1957 and 1962. Kamaraj
noticed that the Congress party was slowly losing its vigor. He came up with a
plan which was called the "Kamaraj
Plan".
On 2 October 1963, he resigned from
the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Post. He proposed that all senior Congress
leaders should resign from their posts and devote all their energy to the
re-vitalization of the Congress.
In 1963 he suggested to Nehru that
senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up
organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the Kamaraj Plan,
which was designed primarily to dispel from the minds of Congressmen the lure
for power, creating in its place a dedicated attachment to the objectives and
policies of the organisation. Well impressed by the achievements and acumen of
Kamraj, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru felt that his services were needed more
at the national level. In a swift move he brought Kamaraj to Delhi as the
President of the Indian National Congress. Nehru realized that if he had wide
learning and vision, Kamaraj possessed enormous common sense and pragmatism.
Kamaraj was elected President, Indian National Congress, on 9 October 1963.
The
King Maker
After Nehru's death in 1964, Kamaraj
successfully navigated the party through the turbulent times. As the president
of the Indian
National Congress, he refused to become the next
prime minister himself and was instrumental in bringing to power two Prime
Ministers, Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964 and Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi
in 1966. For this role, he is widely acclaimed as the "King Maker"
during the 1960s.
Split
of Congress
When the Congress split in 1969,
Kamaraj became the leader of the INC
(O) in Tamil Nadu. The party fared
poorly in the 1971 elections amid allegations of fraud by the opposition
parties. He remained as the leader of INC (O) till his death in 1975.
Electoral
history
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Year
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Post
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Constituency
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Party
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Opponent
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Election
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Result
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1937
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Unopposed
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Won
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1946
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Unopposed
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Won
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1952
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Srivilliputtur
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Won
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1954
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By
Election
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Won
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1957
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Won
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|||||
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1962
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P.
Ramamoorthy
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Won
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1967
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Lost
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1969
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M.
Mathias
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By
Election
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Won
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1971
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Won
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Death
Kamaraj died on October 2, 1975, in
his house. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the 'Bharat
Ratna' posthumously in 1976.
Legacy
A large number of statues have been
erected in his honor across the state. The domestic terminal of the Chennai
airport has been named "Kamaraj
Terminal", Chennai's Beach Road renamed "Kamarajar Salai", Bengaluru's
North Parade Road as "K. Kamaraj Road" and the Madurai
Kamaraj University in his honour.
Popular
culture
In 2004 a Tamil film
titled Kamaraj was made based on the life history of Kamaraj. The English
version of the film was released on DVD in 2007.
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