Jump to content

George Joseph (activist): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
KasparBot (talk | contribs)
1,549,811 edits
authority control moved to wikidata
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 1 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5
 
(43 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian politician (1887–1938)}}
⚫
'''George Joseph''' (5 June 1887 – 5 March 1938) was a [[lawyer]] and [[Indian independence activist|Indian independence activist.]] One of the earliest and among the most prominent [[Syrian Christians of Kerala|Syrian Christians from Kerala]] to join the freedom struggle, Joseph's working life was lived in [[Madurai]] and is remembered for his role in the Home Rule agitation and the [[Vaikom Satyagraha]] and for his editorship of [[Motilal Nehru|Motilal Nehru's]] ''[[The Independent (India)|The Independent]]'' and [[Mahatma Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi's]] ''[[Young India]]''.
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox person
⚫
| name = George Joseph
| birth_date = {{birth-date|5 June 1887}}
| birth_place = [[Chengannur]], [[Kingdom of Travancore|Travancore]]
| death_date = {{death-date and age|5 March 1938|5 June 1887}}
| death_place = [[Madurai]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| occupation = [[Indian independence activist]]<br />[[lawyer]]
| awards =
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
|otherparty = [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]]

⚫
}}
⚫
{{Indian name|George|Joseph}}'''George Joseph''' (5 June 1887 &ndash; 5 March 1938) was a [[lawyer]] and [[Indian independence activist]]. One of the earliest and among the most prominent [[Syrian Christians of Kerala|Syrian Christians from Kerala]] to join the freedom struggle, George's working life in [[Madurai]] and is remembered for his role in the Home Rule agitation and the [[Vaikom Satyagraha]] and for his editorship of [[Motilal Nehru|Motilal Nehru's]] ''[[The Independent (India)|The Independent]]'' and [[Mahatma Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi's]] ''[[Young India]]''.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
George Joseph was born the eldest child of CI Joseph at [[Chengannur]], a town in the [[Travancore State]] and now a part of the [[List of Indian States and Union Territories by two-letter codes|Indian state]] of [[Kerala]]. His younger brother, [[Pothan Joseph]], became a famous journalist and editor of several newspapers.<ref name="mediamimansa">{{cite web|last=Vilanilam|first=J V|title=Pothan Joseph (1892-1972)— A Fiercely Independent Editor|url=http://www.mediamimansa.com/3rd%20issue/3ENG_89.pdf|accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref> George studied at the [[Madras Christian College]] and did M.A. in Philosophy at the [[University of Edinburgh]] before doing law at the [[Middle Temple|Middle Temple, London]] in 1908.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forgotten Heroes|url=http://www.divyadestiny.com/2012/08/13/forgotten-heroes/|accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref> During his time in [[London]] he came into contact with many prominent [[Indian freedom fighters]] there. Having completed his studies, he returned to [[India]] in January 1909.<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|title=George Joseph, a true champion of subaltern|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/article2248765.ece?css=print|accessdate=4 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=July 19, 2011}}</ref>
George Joseph was born the eldest child of C. I. Joseph at [[Chengannur]], a town in the [[Travancore State]] and now a part of the [[List of Indian States and Union Territories by two-letter codes|Indian state]] of [[Kerala]]. His younger brother, [[Pothan Joseph]], became a famous journalist and editor of several newspapers.<ref name="mediamimansa">{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamimansa.com/3rd%20issue/3ENG_89.pdf|title=Pothan Joseph (1892-1972) – A Fiercely Independent Editor|last=Vilanilam|first=J V|access-date=4 February 2013|archive-date=15 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215021203/http://www.mediamimansa.com/3rd%20issue/3ENG_89.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> George studied at the [[Madras Christian College]] and did M.A. in philosophy at the [[University of Edinburgh]] before doing law at the [[Middle Temple|Middle Temple, London]] in 1908.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forgotten Heroes |url=http://www.divyadestiny.com/2012/08/13/forgotten-heroes/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215205457/http://www.divyadestiny.com/2012/08/13/forgotten-heroes/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 February 2013 |access-date=4 February 2013 }}</ref> During his time in [[London]] he came into contact with many prominent [[Indian freedom fighters]] there. Having completed his studies, he returned to India in January 1909.<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|title=George Joseph, a true champion of subaltern|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/article2248765.ece?css=print|access-date=4 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 July 2011}}</ref>


== Role in the freedom struggle ==
== Role in the freedom struggle ==
On Joseph's return from London, he initially set up practice at [[Madras]] before shifting to Madurai. He hosted at his house in Madurai several leaders of the freedom struggle including Gandhi, [[C. Rajagopalachari]], [[S. Srinivasa Iyengar|Srinivasa Iyengar]] and [[K. Kamaraj]] during their visits there. [[Subramania Bharati]] composed the ''Viduthalai'', a well known patriotic song while staying at Joseph's residence.
On George's return from London, he initially set up practice at [[Madras]] before shifting to Madurai. He hosted at his house in Madurai several leaders of the freedom struggle including Gandhi, [[C. Rajagopalachari]], [[S. Srinivasa Iyengar|Srinivasa Iyengar]] and [[K. Kamaraj]] during their visits there. [[Subramania Bharati]] composed the ''Viduthalai'', a well known patriotic song while staying at George's residence.


=== Home Rule and Non Cooperation Movements ===
=== Home Rule and Non Cooperation Movements ===
In 1917, aged 29, Joseph was invited by [[Annie Besant]] to go to [[England]] along with her, [[Syed Hussain]] and BV Narasimhan to talk about [[Home Rule]] there. The British however foiled this bid, arresting them when the ship Besant had chartered reached [[Gibraltar]], Subsequently deporting them back to India.<ref name="books.google">{{cite book|last=Muthiah|first=S.|title=A Madras Miscellany|year=2011|publisher=East West Books|location=Chennai|url=http://books.google.com/?id=QHtZG8beGy4C&pg=PT526&dq=%22george+joseph%22+madurai#v=onepage&q&f=false|isbn=9789380032849}}</ref> When [[P. Varadarajulu Naidu]] was arrested for making a speech at the Victoria Edward Hall, George Joseph assisted C. Rajagopalachari who appeared for Naidu in the case. Joseph was the leader of the [[Rowlatt Satyagraha]] in Madurai, organising meetings, fasts and hartals during the satyagraha and during the [[Non Cooperation Movement]] he relinquished his lucrative legal practice and joined the movement.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref name="thehindu_a">{{cite news|title=Madurai's very own freedom fighters|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/article3671344.ece?css=print|accessdate=4 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=July 23, 2012}}</ref>
In 1917, aged 29, George was invited by [[Annie Besant]] to go to England along with her, [[Syed Hussain]] and BV Narasimhan to talk about [[Home Rule]] there. The British however foiled this bid, arresting them when the ship Besant had chartered reached [[Gibraltar]], Subsequently, deporting them back to India.<ref name="books.google">{{cite book|last=Muthiah|first=S.|title=A Madras Miscellany|year=2011|publisher=East West Books|location=Chennai|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QHtZG8beGy4C&dq=%22george+joseph%22+madurai&pg=PT526|isbn=9789380032849}}</ref> When [[P. Varadarajulu Naidu]] was arrested for making a speech at the Victoria Edward Hall, George Joseph assisted C. Rajagopalachari who appeared for Naidu in the case. George was the leader of the [[Rowlatt Satyagraha]] in Madurai, organising meetings, fasts and hartals during the satyagraha and during the [[Non-Cooperation Movement]] he relinquished his lucrative legal practice and joined the movement.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref name="thehindu_a">{{cite news|title=Madurai's very own freedom fighters|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-editorialfeatures/article3671344.ece?css=print|access-date=4 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 July 2012}}</ref>


=== Trade unionist and editor ===
=== Trade unionist and editor ===
Joseph played an important role in setting up the [[trade union]] movement in Madurai to organise the textile mill workers there. The union's initial struggles resulted in higher wages and reduced work hours for the mill workers but soon the mill owners and the government came together to bring about a collapse of the union.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Ganeshram|first=S|title=History of People and Their Environs|year=2011|publisher=Bharathi Puthakalayam|location=Tamil Nadu|page=470|url=http://books.google.com/?id=crxUQR_qBXYC&pg=PA470&dq=%22george+joseph%22+madurai#v=onepage&q=%22george%20joseph%22%20madurai&f=false|isbn=9789380325910}}</ref> Joseph edited the [[Nehru–Gandhi family|Nehrus]]' [[Allahabad]] based newspaper ''[[The Independent (India)|The Independent]]'' in during 1920-21 until his arrest on charges of sedition and the subsequent closure of the paper. He also succeeded Rajagopalachari to the editorship of Gandhi's ''Young India'' in 1923.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>{{cite web|title=SOME PROMINENT LEADERS OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE IN KERALA|url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0898/f0308982.html|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref>
George played an important role in setting up the [[trade union]] movement in Madurai to organise the textile mill workers there. The union's initial struggles resulted in higher wages and reduced work hours for the mill workers but soon the mill owners and the government came together to bring about a collapse of the union.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Ganeshram|first=S|title=History of People and Their Environs|year=2011|publisher=Bharathi Puthakalayam|location=Tamil Nadu|page=470|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crxUQR_qBXYC&dq=%22george+joseph%22+madurai&pg=PA470|isbn=9789380325910}}</ref> George edited the [[Nehru–Gandhi family|Nehrus]]' [[Allahabad]] based newspaper ''[[The Independent (India)|The Independent]]'' during 1920-21 until his arrest on charges of sedition and the subsequent closure of the paper. He also succeeded Rajagopalachari to the editorship of Gandhi's ''Young India'' in 1923.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>{{cite web|title=SOME PROMINENT LEADERS OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE IN KERALA|url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0898/f0308982.html|publisher=Press Information Bureau|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref>


=== Vaikom Satyagraha ===
=== Vaikom Satyagraha ===
Joseph was an eager participant in the [[Vaikom Satyagraha]] that sought to achieve the right to temple entry for the [[Dalits]] in [[Travancore]]. According to [[C. F. Andrews]], the plan for a non violent agitation was arrived upon by Joseph when he visited Gandhi who was convalescing in [[Bombay]]. Joseph and other Congressmen led the Dalits in walking through the [[Brahmin]] quarter of the town where they were met with violence. The police immediately arrested Joseph and his accomplices who were sentenced to varying terms in prison.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Andrews|first=C F|title=Young India Throws Its Pebble|journal=The Star: an International Magazine|date=January 1929|volume=II|series=1|page=23|url=http://books.google.com/?id=tfullPvCF2IC&pg=RA3-PA23&dq=%22george+joseph%22+travancore#v=onepage&q=%22george%20joseph%22%20travancore&f=false|accessdate=4 February 2013|isbn=9780766180390}}</ref> Joseph viewed the struggle at [[Vaikom]] an issue of civil rights for all Indian citizens but this was in contrast to the views of most Congressmen who saw it as purely an issue between high and low [[Caste system in India|caste]] [[Hindus]] and to be settled by the Hindus themselves. Gandhi himself did not encourage Joseph's participation in the [[satyagraha]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Augustine|first=P A|title=Social Equality in Indian Society: The Elusive Goal|year=1991|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|location=New Delhi|page=154|url=http://books.google.com/?id=5GtbgNKE6Z0C&pg=PA154&dq=%22george+joseph%22+travancore#v=onepage&q=%22george%20joseph%22%20travancore&f=false|isbn=9788170223030}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lukose|first=Ritty|title=Liberalization’s Children: Gender, Youth, and Consumer Citizenship in Globalizing India|year=2009|publisher=Duke university Press|page=172|url=http://books.google.com/?id=R5gNOdw9E_0C&pg=PT186&dq=%22george+joseph%22+travancore|isbn=9780822345671}}</ref> Disillusioned by Gandhi's lack of support and the attitude of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]], Joseph left the Congress Party to join the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]]. He however rejoined the Congress in 1935.<ref name="mediamimansa" /><ref name="books.google" />
George was an eager participant in the [[Vaikom Satyagraha]]<ref name="George 2014 pp. 569–574">{{cite journal | last=George | first=Alphons | title=THE ROLE OF GEORGE JOSEPH IN THE VAIKOM SATYAGRAHA | journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | publisher=Indian History Congress | volume=75 | year=2014 | issn=22491937 | jstor=44158431 | pages=569–574 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44158431 | access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="B.A 2023">{{cite web | last=B.A | first=Pon Vasanth | title=The contribution of an unsung leader, George Joseph, to the Vaikom Satyagraha | website=The Hindu | date=30 Mar 2023 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-contribution-of-an-unsung-leader-to-the-vaikom-satyagraha/article66681161.ece | access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref> that sought to achieve the right to temple entry for the [[Dalits]] in [[Travancore]]. According to [[C. F. Andrews]], the plan for a non violent agitation was arrived upon by George when he visited Gandhi who was convalescing in [[Bombay]]. George and other Congressmen led the Dalits in walking through the [[Brahmin]] quarter of the town where they were met with violence. The police immediately arrested George and his accomplices who were sentenced to varying terms in prison.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Andrews|first=C F|title=Young India Throws Its Pebble|journal=The Star: An International Magazine|date=January 1929|volume=II|series=1|page=23|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfullPvCF2IC&dq=%22george+joseph%22+travancore&pg=RA3-PA23|access-date=4 February 2013|isbn=9780766180390}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> George viewed the struggle at [[Vaikom]] an issue of civil rights for all Indian citizens but this was in contrast to the views of most Congressmen who saw it as purely an issue between high and low [[Caste system in India|caste]] [[Hindus]] and to be settled by the Hindus themselves. Gandhi himself did not encourage George's participation in the [[satyagraha]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Augustine|first=P A|title=Social Equality in Indian Society: The Elusive Goal|year=1991|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|location=New Delhi|page=154|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5GtbgNKE6Z0C&dq=%22george+joseph%22+travancore&pg=PA154|isbn=9788170223030}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lukose|first=Ritty|title=Liberalization's Children: Gender, Youth, and Consumer Citizenship in Globalizing India|year=2009|publisher=Duke university Press|page=172|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R5gNOdw9E_0C&dq=%22george+joseph%22+travancore&pg=PT186|isbn=9780822345671}}</ref> Disillusioned by Gandhi's lack of support and the attitude of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]], George left the Congress Party to join the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]]. He however rejoined the Congress in 1935.<ref name="mediamimansa" /><ref name="books.google" />


=== Rosapoo Durai ===
=== Rosapoo Durai ===
Joseph led Congressmen of Madurai in the agitation against the [[Simon Commission]]. In this he was supported by K Kamaraj and the duo mobilised thousands of volunteers at the [[Tirumalai Nayak Palace|Tirumalai Nayak Mahal]] to demonstrate against the Commission when it visited Madurai in 1929.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kandaswamy|first=P.|title=The Political Career of K. Kamaraj|year=2001|publisher=Concept Publishing House|location=New Delhi|page=32|url=http://books.google.com/?id=bOjT3qffnMkC&pg=PA23&dq=%22george+joseph%22+madurai#v=onepage&q=%22george%20joseph%22%20madurai&f=false}}</ref> Later, when Kamaraj was implicated in [[Virudhunagar Conspiracy Case]] in 1933, Joseph and Varadarajulu Naidu argued on his behalf and succeeded in exonerating him of all charges.<ref name="thehindu" /> He also agitated against the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA), an act that criminalised and negatively affected communities like the [[Piramalai Kallars]] and [[Maravars]]. He fought for them in the courts and wrote extensively in the newspapers against the act and came to be called ''Rosapoo Durai'' by the grateful Kallars who continue to pay homage to him on his death anniversary.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref name="thehindu_a" />
George led Congressmen of Madurai in the agitation against the [[Simon Commission]]. In this he was supported by K Kamaraj and the duo mobilised thousands of volunteers at the [[Tirumalai Nayak Palace|Tirumalai Nayak Mahal]] to demonstrate against the Commission when it visited Madurai in 1929.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kandaswamy|first=P.|title=The Political Career of K. Kamaraj|year=2001|publisher=Concept Publishing House|location=New Delhi|page=32|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bOjT3qffnMkC&dq=%22george+joseph%22+madurai&pg=PA23}}</ref> Later, when Kamaraj was implicated in [[Virudhunagar Conspiracy Case]] in 1933, George and Varadarajulu Naidu argued on his behalf and succeeded in exonerating him of all charges.<ref name="thehindu" /> He also agitated against the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA), an act that criminalised and negatively affected communities like the [[Piramalai kallar]] and [[Maravars]]. He fought for them in the courts and wrote extensively in the newspapers against the act and came to be called ''Rosapoo Durai'' by the grateful Kallars who continue to pay homage to him on his death anniversary.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref name="thehindu_a" />


== Parliamentary career ==
== Parliamentary career ==
In 1929 Joseph contested the municipal elections in Madurai on a Congress ticket but lost. In July 1937, he was elected to the [[Central Legislative Assembly]] from Madura-cum-Ramnad-Tirunelveli constituency.<ref name="thehindu" />
In 1929 George contested the municipal elections in Madurai on a Congress ticket but lost. In July 1937, he was elected to the [[Central Legislative Assembly]] from Madura-cum-Ramnad-Tirunelveli constituency.<ref name="thehindu" />


== Death and commemoration ==
== Death and commemoration ==
Following a prolonged period of illness, Joseph died at the [[American Mission Hospital]] in Madurai on March 5, 1938. He was 50. He is buried at the East Gate Cemetery in Madurai.<ref name="thehindu" /> ''George Joseph: The Life and Times of a Christian Nationalist'' is his biography by his grandson George Gheverghese Joseph.<ref>{{cite news|title=Giant without footprints|url=http://www.hindu.com/lr/2003/11/02/stories/2003110200430500.htm|accessdate=4 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=November 2, 2003}}</ref>
Following a prolonged period of illness, George died at the [[American Mission Hospital]] in Madurai on 5 March 1938. He was 50. He is buried at the East Gate Cemetery in Madurai.<ref name="thehindu" /> ''George Joseph: The Life and Times of a Christian Nationalist'' is his biography by his grandson George Gheverghese George.<ref>{{cite news|title=Giant without footprints|url=http://www.hindu.com/lr/2003/11/02/stories/2003110200430500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212200122/http://www.hindu.com/lr/2003/11/02/stories/2003110200430500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2003|access-date=4 February 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 November 2003}}</ref>


⚫
== External Links ==
⚫
* [http://josephclan.com/ Family Website of George Joseph]
⚫
== Other sources ==
⚫
* {{cite book | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=A6MfPh-9DiEC&pg=PA25&sig=4Bh3Ye4d_lQ8lybX3AaBnMDQErI#PPA18,M1 | page = 18 | title = On life and times of George Joseph, 1887–1938, a Syrian Christian nationalist from Kerala | author = Joseph, George Gheverghese | publisher = Orient Longman | year = 2003 | accessdate = 2014-08-09 | isbn=978-81-250-2495-8}}
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


⚫
== Other sources ==
{{Indian independence movement}}
⚫
* {{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=A6MfPh-9DiEC&pg=PA25 | page = 18 | title = On life and times of George Joseph, 1887–1938, a Syrian Christian nationalist from Kerala | author = Joseph, George Gheverghese | publisher = Orient Longman | year = 2003 | access-date = 2014-08-09 | isbn=978-81-250-2495-8}}

⚫
== External links ==
⚫
* [http://josephclan.com/ Family Website of George Joseph]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata
⚫
| NAME = Joseph, George
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Indian politician
| DATE OF BIRTH = 5 June 1887
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 5 March 1938
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, George}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, George}}
[[Category:1887 births]]
[[Category:1887 births]]
Line 50: Line 56:
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:1938 deaths]]
[[Category:1938 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian editors]]
[[Category:Trade unionists from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Journalists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Gandhians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:Christian nationalists]]

Latest revision as of 10:50, 28 May 2024

George Joseph
Born5 June 1887 (1887-06-05)
Chengannur, Travancore
Died5 March 1938 (1938-03-06) (aged 50)
Madurai, Madras Presidency, British India
Occupation(s)Indian independence activist
lawyer
Political partyIndian National Congress
Other political
affiliations		Justice Party
In this Indian name, the name Joseph is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, George.

George Joseph (5 June 1887 – 5 March 1938) was a lawyer and Indian independence activist. One of the earliest and among the most prominent Syrian Christians from Kerala to join the freedom struggle, George's working life in Madurai and is remembered for his role in the Home Rule agitation and the Vaikom Satyagraha and for his editorship of Motilal Nehru's The Independent and Mahatma Gandhi's Young India.

Early life and education

[edit]

George Joseph was born the eldest child of C. I. Joseph at Chengannur, a town in the Travancore State and now a part of the Indian state of Kerala. His younger brother, Pothan Joseph, became a famous journalist and editor of several newspapers.[1] George studied at the Madras Christian College and did M.A. in philosophy at the University of Edinburgh before doing law at the Middle Temple, London in 1908.[2] During his time in London he came into contact with many prominent Indian freedom fighters there. Having completed his studies, he returned to India in January 1909.[3]

Role in the freedom struggle

[edit]

On George's return from London, he initially set up practice at Madras before shifting to Madurai. He hosted at his house in Madurai several leaders of the freedom struggle including Gandhi, C. Rajagopalachari, Srinivasa Iyengar and K. Kamaraj during their visits there. Subramania Bharati composed the Viduthalai, a well known patriotic song while staying at George's residence.

Home Rule and Non Cooperation Movements

[edit]

In 1917, aged 29, George was invited by Annie Besant to go to England along with her, Syed Hussain and BV Narasimhan to talk about Home Rule there. The British however foiled this bid, arresting them when the ship Besant had chartered reached Gibraltar, Subsequently, deporting them back to India.[4] When P. Varadarajulu Naidu was arrested for making a speech at the Victoria Edward Hall, George Joseph assisted C. Rajagopalachari who appeared for Naidu in the case. George was the leader of the Rowlatt Satyagraha in Madurai, organising meetings, fasts and hartals during the satyagraha and during the Non-Cooperation Movement he relinquished his lucrative legal practice and joined the movement.[3][5]

Trade unionist and editor

[edit]

George played an important role in setting up the trade union movement in Madurai to organise the textile mill workers there. The union's initial struggles resulted in higher wages and reduced work hours for the mill workers but soon the mill owners and the government came together to bring about a collapse of the union.[3][6] George edited the Nehrus' Allahabad based newspaper The Independent during 1920-21 until his arrest on charges of sedition and the subsequent closure of the paper. He also succeeded Rajagopalachari to the editorship of Gandhi's Young India in 1923.[3][7]

Vaikom Satyagraha

[edit]

George was an eager participant in the Vaikom Satyagraha[8][9] that sought to achieve the right to temple entry for the Dalits in Travancore. According to C. F. Andrews, the plan for a non violent agitation was arrived upon by George when he visited Gandhi who was convalescing in Bombay. George and other Congressmen led the Dalits in walking through the Brahmin quarter of the town where they were met with violence. The police immediately arrested George and his accomplices who were sentenced to varying terms in prison.[10] George viewed the struggle at Vaikom an issue of civil rights for all Indian citizens but this was in contrast to the views of most Congressmen who saw it as purely an issue between high and low caste Hindus and to be settled by the Hindus themselves. Gandhi himself did not encourage George's participation in the satyagraha.[11][12] Disillusioned by Gandhi's lack of support and the attitude of the Congress Party, George left the Congress Party to join the Justice Party. He however rejoined the Congress in 1935.[1][4]

Rosapoo Durai

[edit]

George led Congressmen of Madurai in the agitation against the Simon Commission. In this he was supported by K Kamaraj and the duo mobilised thousands of volunteers at the Tirumalai Nayak Mahal to demonstrate against the Commission when it visited Madurai in 1929.[13] Later, when Kamaraj was implicated in Virudhunagar Conspiracy Case in 1933, George and Varadarajulu Naidu argued on his behalf and succeeded in exonerating him of all charges.[3] He also agitated against the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA), an act that criminalised and negatively affected communities like the Piramalai kallar and Maravars. He fought for them in the courts and wrote extensively in the newspapers against the act and came to be called Rosapoo Durai by the grateful Kallars who continue to pay homage to him on his death anniversary.[3][5]

Parliamentary career

[edit]

In 1929 George contested the municipal elections in Madurai on a Congress ticket but lost. In July 1937, he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly from Madura-cum-Ramnad-Tirunelveli constituency.[3]

Death and commemoration

[edit]

Following a prolonged period of illness, George died at the American Mission Hospital in Madurai on 5 March 1938. He was 50. He is buried at the East Gate Cemetery in Madurai.[3] George Joseph: The Life and Times of a Christian Nationalist is his biography by his grandson George Gheverghese George.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Vilanilam, J V. "Pothan Joseph (1892-1972) – A Fiercely Independent Editor" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Forgotten Heroes". Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "George Joseph, a true champion of subaltern". The Hindu. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  4. ^ a b Muthiah, S. (2011). A Madras Miscellany. Chennai: East West Books. ISBN 9789380032849.
  5. ^ a b "Madurai's very own freedom fighters". The Hindu. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  6. ^ Ganeshram, S (2011). History of People and Their Environs. Tamil Nadu: Bharathi Puthakalayam. p. 470. ISBN 9789380325910.
  7. ^ "SOME PROMINENT LEADERS OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE IN KERALA". Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  8. ^ George, Alphons (2014). "THE ROLE OF GEORGE JOSEPH IN THE VAIKOM SATYAGRAHA". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 75. Indian History Congress: 569–574. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44158431. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  9. ^ B.A, Pon Vasanth (30 March 2023). "The contribution of an unsung leader, George Joseph, to the Vaikom Satyagraha". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  10. ^ Andrews, C F (January 1929). "Young India Throws Its Pebble". The Star: An International Magazine. 1. II: 23. ISBN 9780766180390. Retrieved 4 February 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ Augustine, P A (1991). Social Equality in Indian Society: The Elusive Goal. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 154. ISBN 9788170223030.
  12. ^ Lukose, Ritty (2009). Liberalization's Children: Gender, Youth, and Consumer Citizenship in Globalizing India. Duke university Press. p. 172. ISBN 9780822345671.
  13. ^ Kandaswamy, P. (2001). The Political Career of K. Kamaraj. New Delhi: Concept Publishing House. p. 32.
  14. ^ "Giant without footprints". The Hindu. 2 November 2003. Archived from the original on 12 December 2003. Retrieved 4 February 2013.

Other sources

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=George_Joseph_(activist)&oldid=1226065686"