PoliticsNational and Dravidian movements

M. C. Rajah and the Rajah-Moonje Pact

· Chennai

Dalit leader M. C. Rajah of Madras agreed with B. S. Moonje to reserved seats within joint electorates for the depressed classes.

M. C. Rajah was a Dalit politician from Madras and the first nominated member of the depressed classes in the Madras Legislative Council. In 1932 he reached an agreement with Hindu Mahasabha leader B. S. Moonje supporting joint electorates with reserved seats for the depressed classes. This put him at odds with B. R. Ambedkar's demand for separate electorates. The debate fed into the Poona Pact later that year.

Related events

  1. 1916

    1. Dec 1916ChennaiPolitics

      Non-Brahmin Manifesto published

      The new non-Brahmin federation issued a manifesto criticising Brahmin dominance in public services and politics, drawing sharp criticism from The Hindu.

  2. 1917

    1. 20 Sep 1917ChennaiPolitics

      Madras Presidency Association formed

      The Madras Presidency Association was set up by non-Brahmin Congressmen to press for non-Brahmin representation inside the national movement.

  3. 1921

    1. 1921ChennaiLegislation

      First Communal Government Order on reservation

      The Justice Party government issued the first Communal Government Order, reserving government posts for different communities.

  4. 1922

    1. 1922ChennaiSocial Reform

      Council adopts the term Adi Dravida

      Acting on a resolution by M. C. Rajah, the Madras Legislative Council adopted Adi-Dravida officially in place of terms like Paraiya and Panchama.

  5. 1934

    1. Nov 1934ChennaiPolitics

      Swarajists largest party in 1934 Madras council election

      The Swaraj Party won the most seats in the last dyarchy-era Madras council election but refused office; the Raja of Bobbili stayed on.

  6. 2009

    1. 2009ChennaiSocial Reform

      Internal reservation for Arunthathiyars

      Tamil Nadu set aside 3 percent within the Scheduled Caste quota for the Arunthathiyar community.

Open in the timeline explorer