J. Sivashanmugam Pillai: a tall leader of Tamil Nadu belonging to what was once known Depressed Classes
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
· 7/20/2026, 10:32:37 AM· 2 min read
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
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