Neil statue satyagraha Upsc
It is the protest or satyagraha that took place in Madras Presidency in 1927 for the removal of Colonel James Neil statue which was erected at the Mount Road, Madras.
Who is James Neil?
He was a colonel of Madras Fusileers regiment and played an important role in putting down the Revolt of 1857. James Neil was called as “Butcher of Allahabad”.
He was killed during the siege of Lucknow. To remember him a statue was placed in Mount road, Madras.
Neil statue satyagraha
The Madras provincial committee which is part of the Indian National Congress and Madras Mahajana Sabha passed a resolution, demanding the removal of the statue.
They demonstrated agitation across Madras’s Presidency. The agitator all over Madras Presidency was led by S.N.Somayajulu.
Several agitations were imprisoned for a few weeks to rigorous imprisonment for years. Also, S.N.Somayajulu and Swaminatha Mudaliar were arrested.
Then after their arrest, K.Kamaraj led the agitation during September 1927. Mahatma Gandhi gave his support to Neil statue satyagraha during his visit to Madras.
The Madras Legislature also passed the resolution demanding the statue removal. The agitation was lost in fire due to the Simon Commission boycott.
Another important personality who participated in Neil statue satyagraha in 1927 is Ammapon alias Leelavathi who was 11 years old when she took part in it. She was later arrested and kept in a children’s home.
Reference
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Statue_Satyagraha
- Samacheer Kalvi Book
