Remembering the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair's Legacy

On April 13, 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre marked a tragic event in India's history. Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair emerged as a vocal critic, challenging the actions of British officials. His legal battle against Governor Michael O'Dwyer and his writings critiquing non-violent resistance highlight his commitment to India's self-governance. Discover the details of Nair's life, his defiance against injustice, and the impact of the massacre on India's struggle for freedom.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 13, 2026, 19:14 IST

A Dark Day in History

On April 13, 1919, India witnessed one of its most tragic events: the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This incident, which occurred 107 years ago, saw Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer command his troops to fire upon a large crowd in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. Official British accounts reported 379 fatalities, but a 2019 investigation by the Partition Museum and Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust revealed that the death toll was likely higher, with 547 confirmed deaths, including 45 unidentified individuals.

Among those who bravely opposed this atrocity was Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair. He engaged in a prominent legal battle against Michael O'Dwyer, the Governor of Punjab from 1913 to 1919, and resigned from the Viceroy's Council in protest of the massacre.

Nair, born in 1857, graduated from Presidency College in Madras (now Chennai) and earned a law degree. Renowned for his tenacity and dedication, he was described by Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, as "an impossible person" who was uncompromising in his beliefs.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Nair did not subscribe to Gandhian principles. He famously stated, "I draw the line when asked to turn the other cheek to my enemy. If someone were to smite me on my cheek, I would chop his head off." His career included serving as a public prosecutor in 1899, becoming a High Court judge in 1908, and receiving a knighthood four years later. He was a staunch advocate for India's self-governance.

In 1922, Nair published a critical book titled Gandhi and Anarchy, where he challenged the effectiveness of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, suggesting it should only be employed when constitutional methods fail. He expressed his disdain for the events at Jallianwala Bagh, stating, "If to govern the country, it is necessary that innocent persons should be slaughtered at Jallianwala Bagh... the country is not worth living in." He also condemned O'Dwyer in his writings, accusing him of terrorism for the government's actions leading up to martial law.

This criticism led to a defamation lawsuit filed by O'Dwyer in England. The trial, which lasted five weeks at the Court of King's Bench, ultimately ruled in favor of O'Dwyer, with the jury awarding him £500 in damages. However, Nair refused to apologize and opted to pay the damages instead.

Continuing his work in India, Nair chaired the Indian Committee of the Simon Commission in 1928. He passed away in 1934 at the age of 77.