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{{Infobox person
| name = Mayiladuthurai Sarangapani
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Mayavaram Sarangapani
| birth_date = 1947
| birth_place = Mudikondan, [[Mayiladuthurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1965|03|15|1947|01|01|df=y}}
| death_place = [[A.V.C. College]], [[Mayiladuthurai]], Tamil Nadu, India
| death_cause = [[Burn]]s from [[self-immolation]]
| occupation = [[Student]], [[Tamil people|Tamil]] activist
| known_for = Self-immolation for the [[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu|Anti-Hindi agitations]] movement
}}
'''Mayiladuthurai Sarangapani''' (1947–1965), also known as '''Mayavaram Sarangapani''', was a student and participant in the anti-Hindi agitations who died by [[self-immolation]] during the [[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu|anti-Hindi agitations in 1965]], amid protests over the implementation of Hindi as the sole official language under the [[Official Languages Act, 1963]], enacted by the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ஏன் மொழிப் போராளிகளை நாம் நினைவுகூர வேண்டும்? |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/opinion/columns/30296-.html |access-date=2 December 2021 |website=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}}</ref>

== Background ==
=== Agitation of 1937–1940 ===
{{Main|Anti-Hindi agitation of 1937–1940}}

The anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu involve several mass protests, riots, student and political movements in Tamil Nadu concerning the official status of [[Hindi]] in the state. The first anti-Hindi agitation was launched in 1937 after the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) won the [[1937 Madras legislative assembly election|1937 elections]] in [[Madras Presidency|Madras Province]]. The INC government was led by [[C. Rajagopalachari]] (Rajaji). On 11 August 1937,<ref name="venu2">{{cite book |last=Venu |first=E.Es. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=83xIAAAAMAAJ |title=Why South opposes Hindi |publisher=Justice Publications |year=1979 |pages=54}}</ref> within a month of coming to power, he announced his intention to introduce Hindi language teaching in secondary schools by issuing a policy statement.<ref name="more">{{Harvnb|More|1997|pp=156–159}}</ref> This move was immediately opposed by [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy|E. V. Ramasamy]] (Periyar) and the opposition [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] (later [[Dravidar Kazhagam]]).

The agitation, which lasted for about 30 months, was multifaceted and involved [[Fasting|fasts]], conferences, marches, picketing and protests. The government responded with a crackdown resulting in the death of two protesters and the arrest of 1,198 persons including women and children. Mandatory Hindi education was later withdrawn by the British governor of Madras [[John Erskine, Lord Erskine|Lord Erskine]], in February 1940 after the resignation of the Congress government in 1939.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passions of the Tongue |url=https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft5199n9v7;brand=ucpress |access-date=11 February 2026 |website=publishing.cdlib.org}}</ref>

=== Agitation of 1965 ===
{{Main|Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu}}

After India's independence in 1947, the new Constitution, which came into effect on [[Republic Day (India)|26 January 1950]], provided that Hindi would become the sole official language of the Union government after 26 January 1965. The [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK), which split from the Dravidar Kazhagam in 1949, inherited the anti-Hindi policies of its parent organisation. DMK founder [[C. N. Annadurai|C.N. Annadurai]] had earlier participated in the anti-Hindi imposition agitations of 1938–40 and again in the 1940s.<ref name=":1" />

In July 1953, the DMK launched the [[Kallakudi demonstration]] to protest the renaming of the town of [[Kallakudi]] as [[Dalmiapuram]]. The party argued that the new name, derived from industrialist [[Ramkrishna Dalmia]], symbolised North Indian exploitation of South India.<ref name="mills">{{cite book |last1=Mills |first1=James H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hIUBioZHHQC&pg=PT151 |title=Confronting the body: the politics of physicality in colonial and post-colonial India |last2=Sen |first2=Satadru |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-84331-033-4 |page=151}}</ref><ref name="sangam">{{cite web |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=16 September 2009 |title=Anna in the dock (1953) |url=http://www.sangam.org/2009/09/Anna_Centennial_3.php?print=true |access-date=24 November 2009 |work=Anna's Birth Centennial Anthology Part 3 |publisher=Sangam.org}}</ref>

As 26 January 1965 approached, the anti-Hindi agitation in [[Madras State]] intensified in both scale and urgency. In January 1965, the Tamil Nadu Students' Anti-Hindi Agitation Council was formed as an umbrella student organisation to coordinate the protests.<ref name="annamalai1">{{cite book |last=Annamalai |first=E |title=Language movements in India |publisher=Central Institute of Indian Languages |year=1979 |chapter=Language Movements Against Hindi as An Official Language |chapter-url=http://www.ciil-ebooks.net/html/langMove/hinoff.html}}</ref><ref name="widmalm">{{cite book |last=Widmalm |first=Sten |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eOnwrHsyXDQC |title=Kashmir in comparative perspective: democracy and violent separatism in India |publisher=Routledge |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7007-1578-7 |page=107}}</ref> Several student conferences were held across the state to oppose the imposition of Hindi.<ref name="Hardgrave">{{Cite journal |last=Hardgrave |first=Robert L. |date=August 1965 |title=The Riots in Tamilnad: Problems and Prospects of India's Language Crisis |journal=Asian Survey |publisher=University of California Press |volume=5 |issue=8 |pages=399–407 |doi=10.2307/2642412 |jstor=2642412}}</ref>

On 16 January, Annadurai announced that 26 January ([[Republic Day (India)|India's Republic Day]]) would be observed as a day of mourning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Sandipan |date=26 January 2026 |title=1965: When Republic Day became a morning of mourning in Madras |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/1965-anti-hindi-agitation-madras-student-protests-indira-gandhi-intervention-tamil-nadu-language-policy-2857880-2026-01-26 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> On 25 January, a clash between protesting students and Congress Party workers in [[Madurai]] escalated into a riot. The violence quickly spread to other parts of the state.<ref name="Hardgrave"/><ref name="kalachuvadu">{{cite web |date=October 2008 |title=Interview with Pa. Seyaprakasam |url=http://www.kalachuvadu.com/issue-106/page32.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505141357/http://www.kalachuvadu.com/issue-106/page32.asp |archive-date=5 May 2009 |access-date=24 November 2009 |work=Kalachuvadu Magazine |publisher=Kalachuvadu Publishers |language=ta}}</ref>

The police responded with lathi charges and opened fire on student processions. During the two weeks of unrest, around 70 people were killed according to official estimates, while some unofficial reports placed the death toll as high as 500. A large number of students were arrested, and property damage was estimated at ten million rupees.<ref name="ramaswamy530a">{{Harvnb|Ramaswamy|1997|loc=ch. 5.30 (The Devotee as Martyr)}}</ref><ref name="Hardgrave"/>

=== Mayiladuthurai agitation ===
Sarangapani was a second-year [[Bachelor of Commerce|B.Com]] student at [[A.V.C. College]] in Mayiladuthurai (formerly known as Mayavaram). He came from a farming family in the village of Mudikondan, which is located on the state highway between Mayiladuthurai and [[Thiruvarur]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=தமிழுக்காகத் தம்மை இழந்த மொழிப்போர் ஈகியர் – 12 |url=https://keetru.com/index.php/2018-01-12-05-57-50/2014-03-08-04-39-26/2014-03-14-11-17-85/37190-12-2 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=keetru.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2024 |title=95 வயது காசாம்பு அம்மாள் – தமிழே.. உயிரே.. |url=https://angusam.com/tamil-dear/ |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=Angusam News – Online News Portal about Tamilnadu |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=வி.தேவதாசன் |date=2015-01-25 |title=உலக வரலாற்றில் ஒரு மொழிப் போர் |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/others/29228-.html |access-date=2026-02-12 |website=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}}</ref>

Sarangapani and his friends were concerned about the violence in Madurai involving members of the INC and the subsequent police action, including reported attacks and firing on students. In March 1965, he and his friends went to the Government Girls' School on Pattamangalam Street in Mayiladuthurai, where classes were in session, and urged the students to boycott classes and participate in the anti-Hindi protest.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2026 |title=மொழிப்போர் 1965: செந்தமிழுக்கு ஒரு தீங்கு வந்த பின்னும்.......... |url=https://news7tamil.live/the-history-of-the-language-struggle-even-after-a-harm-befell-pure-tamil.html |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=News7 Tamil |language=ta}}</ref>

== Self-immolation ==
On 15 March 1965, in the early morning on the campus of A.V.C. College, Sarangapani set himself on fire while shouting, "Tamil Vazhga! Hindi Ozhiga!" (loosely translated as "Long live Tamil! Down with Hindi!"). The act was described as a form of protest against the Indian National Congress (INC) Union Government's language policies promoting Hindi, as well as against reported police action against students and the deployment of paramilitary forces in parts of Madras State.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Subash Chandra |date=19 February 2025 |title=Tamil Nadu's battle against Hindi imposition: A legacy of resistance |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/news/tamil-nadus-battle-against-hindi-imposition-a-legacy-of-resistance/ |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=The South First {{!}} News, Politics, Sports, Entertainment & Live Updates |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://ia904500.us.archive.org/5/items/hindi-imposition-papers-volume-3-history-of-anti-hindi-imposition-agitations-in-tamil-nadu/Hindi%20Imposition%20Papers%20(Volume%203)%20History%20of%20Anti-Hindi%20Imposition%20Agitations%20in%20Tamil%20Nadu.pdf |title=Hindi Imposition Papers (Volume 3): History of Anti-Hindi Imposition Agitations in Tamil Nadu |publisher=Internet Archive |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=COLLINS |first=SJ MICHAEL |date=25 January 2026 |title=Echoes of a language rebellion |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/echoes-of-a-language-rebellion |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=DT Next |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Veerapandian |first=Suba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=joFSEQAAQBAJ&dq=Mayavaram+Sarangapani+self+Immolation&pg=PT177 |title=Sociopolitical Movements of a Century in Tamil Nadu |date=10 June 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-39251-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Kannan |first=R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=USfI9rPtpygC&dq=Mayavaram+Sarangapani+self+Immolation&pg=PT329 |title=Anna: The Life and Times of C.N. Annadurai |date=13 June 2017 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-313-4 |language=en}}</ref>

On the same day, he was transported to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital for specialized treatment for his burn injuries. Despite medical efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries.<ref name=":0" />

== Honors and recognition ==
In recognition of his sacrifice, a statue of Sarangapani was erected on the campus of A.V.C. College, Mayiladuthurai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=மயிலாடுதுறை |first=எஸ் ஜெகநாதன் |date=25 January 2025 |title=மொழிப் போர் தியாகிகள் தினம் – மயிலாடுதுறை சாரங்கபாணிக்கு அஞ்சலி செலுத்த திரளும் கட்சிகள் |url=https://tamil.abplive.com/news/mayiladuthurai/on-the-occasion-of-language-war-martyrs-day-a-large-number-of-people-paid-their-respects-to-mayiladuthurai-student-sarangapani-213801 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=ABP Nadu |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=25 January 2026 |title=மொழிப்போர் தியாகிகள் நினைவு தினம்: திமுக, அதிமுகவினர் மழையில் நனைந்தவாறு அஞ்சலி |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/ta/state/dmk-and-admk-parties-paid-respects-at-mayiladuthurai-on-language-martyrs-day-tamil-nadu-news-tns26012501887 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=மயிலாடுதுறை |first=எஸ் ஜெகநாதன் |date=25 January 2023 |title=மொழிப்போர் தியாகிகள் நினைவு ஸ்தூபி அருகே திமுக பேனர்கள் – அதிமுக எதிர்ப்பு |url=https://tamil.abplive.com/news/tamil-nadu/tribute-to-mayiladuthurai-language-war-martyrs-sarangapani-tnn-98114 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=ABP Nadu |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=மயிலாடுதுறை |first=எஸ் ஜெகநாதன் |date=16 March 2022 |title=மயிலாடுதுறையில் மொழிப்போரில் உயிர்நீத்த தியாகி சாரங்கபாணிக்கு தமிழார்வலர்கள் நினைவஞ்சலி |url=https://tamil.abplive.com/news/thanjavur/tamil-activists-pay-tribute-to-tiyagi-sarangapani-who-died-in-the-language-war-in-mayiladuthurai-44165 |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=ABP Nadu |language=ta}}</ref> Additionally, a railway bridge in the town has been named after him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 November 2025 |title=Restoration of 50-year-old Sarangapani Bridge in Mayiladuthurai in final phase |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/restoration-of-50-year-old-sarangapani-bridge-in-mayiladuthurai-in-final-phase/article70259285.ece |access-date=12 February 2026 |work=The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu Bureau |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salahudeen |first=Mohamed |date=30 September 2025 |title=Sarangapani flyover to be closed for repairs, traffic diversion announced |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2025/Sep/30/sarangapani-flyover-to-be-closed-for-repairs-traffic-diversion-announced |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Syndication |date=26 December 2025 |title=மயிலாடுதுறை சாரங்கபாணி ரயில்வே மேம்பாலம் ஜன.5-இல் திறப்பு |url=https://www.dinamani.com/all-editions/edition-nagapattinam/mayiladuthurai/2025/Dec/26/mayiladuthurai-sarangapani-railway-overbridge-will-be-inaugurated-on-january-5th |access-date=12 February 2026 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Self Immolation of Tamil Martyrs in Tamil Nadu, 1965 |url=http://www.tamiltribune.com/04/0101-anti-hindi-self-immolations.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001014154/http://www.tamiltribune.com/04/0101-anti-hindi-self-immolations.html |archive-date=2010-10-01}}

[[Category:People from Mayiladuthurai district]]
[[Category:1965 deaths]]
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:Suicides in India]]
[[Category:Suicides by self-immolation in India]]

Mayiladuthurai Sarangapani - Revision history

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