J. Sivashanmugam Pillai: a tall leader of Tamil Nadu belonging to what was once known Depressed Classes

2026-02-20 - 07:13

J. Sivashanmugam Pillai was the first Scheduled Caste member to become the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker in 1946. He was known for impartiality, with former CM Kamaraj saying, ‘Though a Congressman, he held the scales even.’ He demitted the office in 1955 to become Member of the UPSC and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1962