Who organized India’s first May Day celebration in Madras in 1923?
Answer
Singaravelu Chettiar
Singaravelu Chettiar organized India’s first May Day celebration in Madras in 1923.
Chettiar was a lawyer, political activist, and early labor organizer in the Madras Presidency. On May 1, 1923, he arranged public observances in Madras, now Chennai, linking Indian workers with the international labor movement.
Accounts of the event describe May Day meetings at locations including Marina Beach and the Triplicane area. Chettiar also used the occasion to promote the red flag as a symbol associated with labor politics in India.
The event helped establish May 1 as an important workers’ date in India, although India does not have one single nationwide Labour Day arrangement identical to the U.S. federal holiday. Different states and institutions observe the day under names such as May Day or International Workers’ Day.