In Memoriam: Honoring the Legacy of M.G. Ramachandran Renowned Politician and Cultural Icon
K. Subramanian Senior Advocate & Former Advocate-General of Tamilnadu
M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) was a prominent politician, actor, and philanthropist. Born in 1917, he rose to fame as a charismatic film star in Tamil cinema before venturing into politics. MGR served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for three consecutive terms from 1977 until his death in 1987. His political career was marked by populist policies, a strong connection with the masses, and significant contributions to the welfare of the underprivileged. MGR’s legacy extends beyond politics, as he continues to be remembered as a cultural icon in the South Indian film industry. Senior Advocate and Former Advocate General of Madras High Court Mr. K.Subramanian remembers the MGR .
Dr.C.N.Annadurai and Dr.M.G.Ramachandran were the only Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu for whom Full Court Reference was made by the Madras High Court on the eve of their demise (on 5.2.1969 the then Chief Justice of Madras High Court Hon’ble Justice Anantha Narayanan made a reference speech on behalf of the Full Court for the demise of Dr.C.N.Annadurai while on 4.1.1988 Hon’ble Chief Justice M.N.Chandrukar made a reference speech on behalf of the Full Court for the demise of Dr.M.G.Ramachandran)
Today 24.12.2023, people of Tamil Nadu are paying their respective homage to Dr.M.G. Ramachandran, the former Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. I have seen him in close quarters and on a personal note can mention that M.G.R. had tremendous faith in the judiciary and rule of law. He was always helpful in finding solutions to the problems of the judiciary. When the question of parity of scales of pay of various officers of the Registry of the High Court with the scales of pay of equivalent post in the secretariat remained unresolved for almost 25 years, after seeing the injustice is done to the staff of the Madras High Court, he ordered the parity of scales to be given effect to.
That even the Former Chief Justice of Madras High Court M.N.Chandrukar, in the Full Court Reference of the Madras High Court held on 4.1.1988 on the eve of his demise spoke about his qualities in the following words:
“The like of this charismatic leader may possibly never again preside over the destinies of the people whom he loved. He indeed has become a phenomenon and a legend in his own life time. He passed away while he was at pinnacle of political power. With his death an era has come to an end. A glorious chapter in the history of the State has come to an end. I cannot do better than to quote the tribute which Ka Naa Subramanian, the well-known literature has paid to him. He says “M.G.R. represents the mass minds of the Tamils which has had no image like him in its annals. His death leaves a vacuum in the hearts of the people. It will take a long time for Tamil Nadu and Tamils to recover from the life and death of this titan of a man whom his people deified so naturally. In death, as in life he remains a titan”.
His novel scheme for providing at least one good meal to the poor and the destitute children was hailed as a unique one which received recognition by the World Bank.
It is a million-dollar question whether Tamilnadu would again witness a Legend like MGR to preside over the destinies of the people.
