>
Title: Need to release a commemorative postage Stamp and First Day Cover in the honour of Sri P. Kakkan, a great freedom fighter & social reformer from Tamil Nadu on his Birth Centenary.
SHRI S.K. KHARVENTHAN (PALANI): Shri P. Kakkan was born on 18 June 1909 at Thumbaipatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District. Late Shri P. Kakkan after completing his early education and teacherstraining, started working for the upliftment of downtrodden Scheduled Castes people. Under the direction and leadership of Mahatma Gandhiji and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a movement was launched in the year 1932 where under SCs were allowed to gain entry in the temples of Southern India. Shri P. Kakkan actively participated along with his mentor Shri Vaidhyanatha Iyer and Shri K. Kamaraj in this social upliftment movement.
On 8 July 1939, Shri P. Kakkan and other leaders entered into Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple under the leadership of Shri Vaidhyanatha Iyer. It was the first in the history of Southern India during the regime of British that Scheduled Castes people had Darshan of Lord Meenakshi Sundareswarar in that temple. After that only, throughout the country, Scheduled Castes people were allowed to have Darshan in various Hindu temples. During Quit India Movement^ Shri Kakkan was arrested in Thanjavur and remanded to judicial custody and imprisoned for 1-1/2 years. In the prison, he was ill-treated by the Britishers and he sustained injuries all over his body.
In the year 1952, Shri Kakkan won the Parliamentary elections and became Member of Parliament from Madurai Central Constituency and served for five years. In 1957 & 1962, Shri P. Kakkan was elected as MLA from Melur and Samayanallur Assembly Segments and occupied various positions as a Home Minister for 9 years in Tamil Nadu Government. He lived a simple life and followed strict austerity measures so much so that he did not have any property in his name. He lived in a rented house in Chennai until his death. He was an example of simplicity, honesty, selfless service who worked for the upliftment of the downtrodden. He died in harness on 28 December 1981. His birth Centenary falls on June 18, 2009. I request the Government to honour Shri P. Kakkan by releasing a commemorative postage stamp and First Day Cover on the Birth Centenary year.