Forbidden history: Kakkan, a man of austerity

The Indian independence movement brought to fore great souls who were selfless and honest. While many of them resigned back to peace after independence, others ventured into politics. Not to make money or name for themselves, but to provide a better life for the suffering and the unprivileged. Though a few of them are still remembered today, most of them have been wiped off from the pages of history. One such man is P. Kakkan. 

Personal life:
Kakkan was born into a Dalit family on 18 June 1908 in a small village called Thumbaipatti near Madurai. He did his primary schooling in Melur - the town closest to his village - before moving to Thirumangalam or Madurai(there is some confusion over where he studied) for higher secondary education. He seemed to have failed the SSLC exam and thereafter, worked as a teacher before becoming a social worker. He was married to Parvati with whom he fathered five sons and a daughter. He was deeply religious and rejected Periyar's ideologies and methods. 

Life as a freedom fighter:
Inspired by Gandhi, Kakkan joined the Congress in his student days. Along with Kamaraj, he led several protests against the British in the 30's and the 40's. He also participated in the Quit India movement and was jailed in Alipore for a while. 

Life as a social worker:
Kakkan fought all his life for the unprivileged against untouchability. 

- In 1939, along with four other Dalit men and a Nadar, Kakkan entered the Meenakshiamman temple in Madurai where entry was prohibited to Dalits and Nadars. This acted as a forerunner to the state legislation that was conferred

upon the socially backward sections of Hindu society later that year. The legislation included "Temple Entry Authorisation and Indemnity Act, 1939" which removed the civil and social disabilities against the depressed classes. 

- In some of the Indian villages, even today, people from the scheduled caste are not allowed to drink from the "drinking pond" in the village, instead they drink from a "bathing pond" where men and women from higher castes and cattle bathe. Kakkan staged many protests across Tamil Nadu against this tradition. 

- Kakkan was also a strong proponent of reservation in appointments, especially in police and military services. 

Life as a politician:
Kakkan served as a minister for two terms in the Congress government of Tamil Nadu between 1957 and 1967. 

- As a Public works minister, Kakkan played an important role in the expansion of mettur and vaigai reservoirs. Both the dams were strengthened during his reign. 
- As a minister for Harijan/SC/ST welfare, he formed a Harijana seva sangham for the welfare and upliftment of the suppressed. 
- As a minister for Agriculture, he established two agricultural colleges in Tamil Nadu. 

Symbol of austerity:
- In 1962, when Kamaraj was collecting funds for the Sino-Indian War, Kakkan donated his brother's gold chain which was awarded to him by Jawaharlal Nehru for winning a medal in an athletic meet. 

- After losing the assembly elections in 1967, Kakkan retired from politics and resigned himself to a simple life. He did not amass any wealth and always travelled by bus till his death. He did not have any property in his name. 

- When age caught up with him and illness weakened him, Kakkan was admitted to the government hospital in Madurai where he spent his last days alone in the veranda of the hospital. When MGR, the then chief minister, visited him, he denied the CM's request to move him to the special ward because he could not afford it. 

- Until his death in 1981, he lived in a rented house in Chennai. 

Today (June 18, 2014) marks the 106th birthday of P. Kakkan - freedom fighter, activist, politician, MLC, minister - who was a man of the masses. After being a minister for 10 years, he did not own any property and lived in a rented house till his death.