Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

A man known for his simple living, high thinking and dedicated service

Photo: K.Ganesan.

great: Memorial of freedom fighter and former Tamil Nadu Home Minister P. Kakkan at Thumbaipatti near Melur in Madurai.

MADURAI: A prominent Dalit face in the Ministries of M. Bhaktavatchalam and K. Kamaraj, P. Kakkan was a man known for his simple living, high thinking and dedicated service to the oppressed sections. He was one among the rare breed of politicians who after so many years of service as Minister handling various portfolios had no material acquisitions for himself. He was the most trusted and able lieutenant of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.

Born in a Dalit family on June 18, 1908 at Thumpaipatti in Melur taluk of Madurai district of Madras State, he grew up to become a staunch Gandhian and freedom fighter.

He was imprisoned for his participation in the Quit India Movement and was in jail for 18 months during 1942 to 1944 at Thanjavur and Alipore in West Bengal.

He, along with A. Vaidyanatha Iyer, spearheaded the movement for temple entry of Dalits in Madurai in 1939. He became the first Dalit to be elected president of the Pradesh Congress Committee. Kakkan served as a member of the Lok Sabha from 1952 to 1957.

Kakkan, during his first tenure, served as the Minister for Public Works, Harijan Welfare, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and later became the Minister of Agriculture and then Home Minister from 1963 till 1967. When Martin Luther King Jr. visited India during 1960, Kakkan was part of the reception committee headed by K. Kamaraj, which welcomed the Civil Rights Movement Leader.

Kakkan’s major contributions included construction of the Mettur and Vaigai reservoirs and establishment of two agricultural colleges. He played an instrumental role in the formation of Harijan Seva Sangh.

P. Vellaichamy, 60, son of Kakkan’s elder brother recalled that he was such a very approachable person and lived a very simple life till his death.

The Draivida Munnetra Kazhagam Government under M. Karunanidhi has honoured him by installing a statue in Madurai on August 31, 1997. On December 9, 1999, a stamp was released in his honour along with that of Vaidyanatha Iyer.

In 2001, a memorial was built for him at Thumbaipatti. It was inaugurated by Mr. Karunanidhi.

The memorial, with its interesting set of pictures, does not have a picture of the late leader with Mr. Karunanidhi. However, it has a picture of Kakkan with the former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran, holding his hands.

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