P. Theagaraya Chetty

P. Theagaraya Chetty Biography

P. Theagaraya Chetty was a prominent politician from south India in Madras presidency. He lived during the period, 27 April 1852 – 28 April 1925. He was a founding member of Justice Party, officially the South Indian Liberal Federation, best known for the ideologies of Socialism and Anti-Brahminism. Chetty advocated for the ideologies of Anti-Brahminism, one of the early social figures associated with this move. He founded Justice Party in 1916 along with two other religious reformers, C. Natesa Mudaliar and Dr. T. M. Nair. One of the founders of the non-Brahmin movement in Tamil Nadu, Chetty was also a lawyer and successful businessman. He was a member of Indian National Congress, before he founded Justice Party.

P. Theagaraya Chetty was born in a Devanga family of Madras Presidency on 27 April 1852. After completing his studies he served as a corporator and legislator, before he plunged into social service and politics. Initially he joined Congress Party, and was associated with it till he started Justice Party. He was a member of the Corporation of Madras from 1882 to 1922, and was a very popular leader. President of the Corporation of Madras and Councillor are other administrative positions held by him.

He was a founding member of South Indian Chamber of Commerce, also known as Justice Party and served as its President during 1910-1921. Madras Non-Brahmin Association was formed in 1909 by two lawyers, and Chetty got involved with it in 1912 soon after Madras United League was formed. They also started a newspaper and named it Justice, advocating the cause of the non-Brahmin community. Theagaraya Chetty died on 28 April 1925 while he was serving as Party’s President.

Published: November 29, 2018

Updated: November 29, 2018