The famous Kuthirai Vandi Court (Magistrate court) off busy Avinashi Road, Coimbatore city built in 1863 during the earliest period of the British Crown Administration is undergoing major repair and renovation work. In August 2021 the restoration work was moving at a much faster phase. What had made me feel elated is this old court's historical and colonial legacy frozen in time is to be brought back to old glory and its preservation for the posterity is a necessity. The history of Tamil Nadu's contribution to freedom struggle is on the back burner.
restoration of Kuthirai Vandi Court, Coimbatore, TN, simplicity.in |
This old colonial court building (built in 1863) that was in a dilapidated condition in the recent past is taken up for urgent restoration work upon judicial recommendation; two primary reasons come to my mind: 01. This was the first colonial magistrate court in this part of Madras Presidency (now in Tamil Nadu) and 02. Its historical link with V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, a staunch freedom fighter and a lawyer of repute.
Coimbatore city, TN mapsofindia.com |
Central prison, Coimbatore, TNthehinduimages.com |
Above image: The central Prison, Coimbatore, entrance. It was here V. O. Chidambaranar was jailed and toiled on tough jobs including pulling the wooden oil press (in local parlance: ''Chekku'') and other nerve-breaking jobs between whiplashes from British jailors who had no scruples............ .
A statue of VO Chidambaram worthy of him was unveiled in November 2015 on the premises of Central Prison, Coimbatore about 86 years after his death. It was here the freedom fighter underwent untold miseries and pain Reason" He defied the laws and vehemently protested against the Raj and their repressive rule. Various organizations had been demanding for years to have his statue unveiled at the prison particularly, VOC Makkal Nala Iyakkam, a local patriotic organization was demanding a memorial in VOC's name.
VOC Marble statue, Cntral prison, Coimbatore.dtnext.in |
Above image: V. O. Chidambaram pillai's 150th birthday was celebrated on 5 September 2021 and the state minister Mr. Sakkrapani said that he would make efforts to have a full-size statue of VOC in the VOC park of Coimbatore. The Minister further flagged off a bus with a photo exhibition portraying the life and history of V.O.C. The bus will be taken to schools and colleges for exhibition. This is a good approach by the present ruling ministry and the minister.....................
Chidambaram Pillai, an associate of Tilak and an admirer of Bipin Chandra pal of W. Bengal, made vast contribution to the welfare of the labor force in the Coral Textiles Mills (part of Madura Coats, formerly A & F Harvey & Co.), Thoothukudi. The English company paid poor wages to them for long hours of work and offered neither welfare protection nor needed amenities to them. Quite disappointing was there was no protection available when running machinery that would cause physical injuries. He, in February 1908, argued for the workers and demanded higher pay and benefits. This irritated the management of the company who was indirectly supported by the then Collector of Tinnelveli (Thirunelvali) William Ashe ICS.
When VOC founded Swadeshi Steam Navigation Co to run passenger and cargo services between Thoothukudi and Ceylon (Sri Lanka; services began in early 1906), again the management of the British Shipping Co (under A & F Co) purposely prevented his progress and drastically cut down their tariff to squeeze the Indian company and this made VOC ride his enterprise into rough seas. At one age, VOC could not run the ships profitably and in 1911, his company was liquidated. A rich lawyer was rendered poor over a period of time by the greedy and grasping British companies. This time also Collector Robert William Ashe indirectly plated a subtle role in the liquidation of the Indian company. VOC is still remembered as ‘ Kappalottiya Tamilan ’ (the Tamil who ran the first Indian Ship company).
Undaunted and with patriotic zeal he carried on his freedom struggle activities along with his friend Subramanya Shiva, Bharathiyar and others. in 1908 his persistent involvement in political rallies and unrests in Thirunelveli and other towns got the attention of the British administration. The Raj did not like him becoming a mass leader.
At one point of time VOC became a menace, a veritable rattler in a wood pile. Using some excuses, the Raj charged him with sedition, and a sentence of two life imprisonments (in effect forty years) was imposed. The arrest was intended to curtail his political muzzle, activities and cut down the pitch for freedom. He was confined in the Central Prison, Coimbatore from 9 July 1908 to 1 December 1910.
It was on the Avinasi road, Coimbatore VOC was physically dragged to the Kuthirai Vandi Magistrate Court (the old court) to report to the presiding English judge. At the central prison here, VOC had to undergo rigorous imprisonment, breaking of hard rocks and pulling the country wooden oil press (in Tamil Sekku). In a short period Physically and health wise, he became weak. In the later years, apparently his sentences were reduced, on an appeal petition filed only through this court.
Various organizations pooled in Rs. 1.4 lakh and had a marble statue of VOC at Jaipur and was installed several years ago. The credit goes to one Mr. Sivakumar whose organization is maintaining the memorial at the prison and remembering him on his death anniversary, for the last 26 years. “It was on this road he was dragged to the Kuthirai Vandi Court (the old court) in the city. Naming the road after him would be a fitting tribute to him as he left behind his footprints on it,” the organizations felt.