PoliticsNational and Dravidian movements
India becomes independent; Madras Province
India gained independence and the Madras Presidency became Madras Province of the Dominion of India; Periyar called it a day of mourning.
On 15 August 1947 British rule ended under the Indian Independence Act 1947, and the Madras Presidency became a province of the Dominion of India, with O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar as Premier. The Governor's executive council was abolished and celebrations were held across the province. E. V. Ramasamy of the Dravidar Kazhagam refused to celebrate, describing independence as a transfer of power from the British to Brahmin and Bania interests, and called it a day of mourning. C. N. Annadurai disagreed with this stand, a difference that foreshadowed the split that produced the DMK in 1949.
