The Inspiring Story of C. Sankaran Nair- A Man Who Dared to Speak the Truth
Amanpreet Singh | Apr 13, 2025, 11:03 IST
Sir C. Sankaran Nair, a towering figure in India’s freedom struggle, didn’t lead protests on the streets—but his protest from within the British system shook the empire. From resigning in protest after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to taking the former Punjab Lieutenant Governor to court in London, his story is a masterclass in using intellect and principle to stand for justice. Here’s what we can learn from his legacy.
Born in 1857 in Kerala, C. Sankaran Nair was one of the first Indians to rise to prominent positions in the colonial administration. He became President of the Indian National Congress in 1897, and later served as a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, where he handled Indian affairs.
But it was in 1919, after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, that Nair's moral courage took center stage. Outraged by the brutality and the British government's indifference, he resigned from the council—a bold and rare step that embarrassed the British and electrified Indian political circles.
Nair didn’t just stop at resignation. In his 1922 book Gandhi and Anarchy, he wrote critically about the colonial regime and directly blamed Michael O'Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, for the massacre. In response, O'Dwyer sued Nair for defamation in a London court in 1924.
Despite immense pressure, Nair stood his ground in the British court, defending his statements and exposing the events around the massacre. Though he technically lost the case, his courtroom testimony revealed uncomfortable truths about British rule and won widespread admiration back in India. It was a rare example of an Indian intellectual using the colonial legal system itself to hold power accountable.
C. Sankaran Nair showed us that protest doesn’t always need a placard—sometimes, it needs a pen, a resignation letter, or a courtroom argument. His story teaches us that no matter how powerful the system, a single voice backed by conviction can shake its foundations. And that’s the kind of courage the world still needs.
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C. Sankaran Nair
But it was in 1919, after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, that Nair's moral courage took center stage. Outraged by the brutality and the British government's indifference, he resigned from the council—a bold and rare step that embarrassed the British and electrified Indian political circles.
Jallianwala Bagh
The Michael O'Dwyer Defamation Case:
Despite immense pressure, Nair stood his ground in the British court, defending his statements and exposing the events around the massacre. Though he technically lost the case, his courtroom testimony revealed uncomfortable truths about British rule and won widespread admiration back in India. It was a rare example of an Indian intellectual using the colonial legal system itself to hold power accountable.
What We Can Learn Today:
- Use the System, If You Must Break It:
Nair didn’t reject the system blindly—he knew its rules, mastered them, and used them to challenge injustice. That’s a valuable lesson for anyone facing institutional unfairness today.
- Truth Demands Sacrifice:
Resigning from the Viceroy's Council and taking on a British official in court wasn’t easy. But Nair valued truth more than titles. Sometimes, integrity is worth more than influence.
- Knowledge Is Your Strongest Weapon:
His success came not through slogans but through solid legal arguments and deep understanding. Being well-informed is a superpower in any fight.
- Legacy Outlives Controversy:
Though he faced criticism from both the British and some Indian leaders, C. Sankaran Nair is now remembered as a brave and principled patriot. If your purpose is clear, short-term criticism won’t matter.
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