S. A. Ganapathy
S.A. Ganapathy was a veteran of the communist underground resistance during Japanese occupation and postwar trade unionist in then Malaya (Malaysia).
Personal life
Even though there is no evidence supporting the claim that Ganapathy was born in 1912 in Thambikkottai Keelakkadu Sundaram Village in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, South India, according to a telegram written by High Commissioner of Malaya, Sir Henry Gurney to Colonial Office dated 2 May 1949, had stated that Ganapathy was born in 1917.[1] Ganapathy's father was Arumugam Thevar and his mother's name was Vairathaal. After losing both his parents to cholera, Ganapathy and his brother, Sargunan, lived with their sister Vairamal. Later, at the age of 10, they migrated to Singapore with his uncle and grandfather, Subramaniam Thevar.
Involvement in Politics
Ganapathy was involved in political activities and volunteered with Indian National Army. He returned to India around 1946 to participate in the Inter-Asian Conference which was held on 26 March to 2 April 1947 at Old Fort, Delhi. The conference was hosted by Nehru who headed the provisional government of India. Mahatma Gandhi spoke at the closing event on 2 April 1947.[2]
S.A. Ganapathy, the first president of the 300,000-strong Pan Malayan Federation of Trade Unions (PMFTU) was hanged by British authorities in Malaya on 4 May 1949 after being convicted for allegedly being in possession of firearms.[3]
Ganapathy was said to be on the way to the police to surrender his firearms,[4] when he was arrested and sentenced to hang in Pudu Jail.
His close allies and mentor Guru Devan,[5] Anthonysamy, Arumugam Thevar from Thambikkottai, Kittu Thevar of Thambikottai Marvakkadu and many others were deported to India.
Following Ganapathy's execution, huge protest was staged in Tamil Nadu.[6] Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanithi has also written a poem titled "Kayertril Thongiya Ganapathi" in protesting execution of Ganapathy.
S.A.Ganapathy was believed to have written to his cousin's husband, Ramu Thevar, about his death sentence and request his body to be cremated. Unfortunately due to the letter, Ramu was arrested on suspicious and was kept in detention in Pulau Jerejak for two months.[7] After Ganapathy's death, Sargunan was deported to Tamil Nadu. His family members too moved to India.
A small monument was built by local communist party at Thambikkotai Vadakadu High Street for Ganapathy. His brother, Sargunan, died in 2009 at Parakkalakottai Village, Pattukkottai Taluk, Tamil Nadu S.India.
References
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Gurney ascertaining the legal position regarding appeal to the Privy Council in Ganapathy's case". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Sang Saka Merah Putih and Malayan Representatives at Asian Relations Conference Delhi 25th March to 2nd April 1947". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Former Trade Unions President Hanged - The Malay Mail - May 4, 1949". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Former Trade Unions President Hanged - The Malay Mail - May 4, 1949". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Guru Devan - The Mysterious Man Behind S.A Ganapathy". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Ganapathy's Execution Echo In India & British Parliament". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ↑ "Malaya S. A. Ganapathy: Quest on Finding Family Members of S.A Ganapathy- A 14-year Search Finally Ended". www.malayaganapathy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
