S.N. Somayajulu (Aged 88) hailed from Thuthukudi was born on 1902. His bravery in the Indian
National Movement is well documented in history. He played a leading role in the Neill Statue Removal
Satyagraha in 1927, which demanded the removal of Colonel James Neill’s statue located on Mount
Road (now Anna Salai) in Madras. James Neill of the Madras Fusiliers regiment played a significant role
in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was killed during the siege of Lucknow and was
infamously known as the “Butcher of Allahabad” by the Indians. A statue of him was placed on Mount
Road, Madras, and in 1927, it became a target for Indian nationalists.
The Madras Mahajana Sabha and the Madras Provincial Committee of the Indian National Congress
passed a resolution demanding the statue’s removal and initiated a series of demonstrations in
Madras. Agitators from all over the Madras Presidency, led by S.N. Somayajulu, participated in these
protests. Several demonstrators were arrested and sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few
weeks to a year of rigorous imprisonment. After the arrest of senior leaders, including Somayajulu and
Swaminatha Mudaliar, K. Kamaraj took over the leadership of the agitation in September 1927.
Mahatma Gandhi, who visited Madras during this time, supported the agitation. The Madras
legislature also passed resolutions demanding the statue’s removal. However, the agitation lost
momentum after a few months and was dropped in favor of boycotting the Simon Commission.
S.N. Somayajulu attempted to break the statue with a crowbar, for which he was arrested and
sentenced to fifteen months of rigorous imprisonment. He also participated in the Vedaranyam Salt
Satyagraha, the Non-Cooperation Movement, and the Quit India Movement, enduring several months
of imprisonment for his involvement. He passed away by 1990.
S.N. Somayajulu
Tamil Nadu- (1902 – 1990)
S.N. Somayajulu (Aged 88) hailed from Thuthukudi was born on 1902. His bravery in the Indian
National Movement is well documented in history. He played a leading role in the Neill Statue Removal
Satyagraha in 1927, which demanded the removal of Colonel James Neill’s statue located on Mount
Road (now Anna Salai) in Madras. James Neill of the Madras Fusiliers regiment played a significant role
in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was killed during the siege of Lucknow and was
infamously known as the “Butcher of Allahabad” by the Indians. A statue of him was placed on Mount
Road, Madras, and in 1927, it became a target for Indian nationalists.
The Madras Mahajana Sabha and the Madras Provincial Committee of the Indian National Congress
passed a resolution demanding the statue’s removal and initiated a series of demonstrations in
Madras. Agitators from all over the Madras Presidency, led by S.N. Somayajulu, participated in these
protests. Several demonstrators were arrested and sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few
weeks to a year of rigorous imprisonment. After the arrest of senior leaders, including Somayajulu and
Swaminatha Mudaliar, K. Kamaraj took over the leadership of the agitation in September 1927.
Mahatma Gandhi, who visited Madras during this time, supported the agitation. The Madras
legislature also passed resolutions demanding the statue’s removal. However, the agitation lost
momentum after a few months and was dropped in favor of boycotting the Simon Commission.
S.N. Somayajulu attempted to break the statue with a crowbar, for which he was arrested and
sentenced to fifteen months of rigorous imprisonment. He also participated in the Vedaranyam Salt
Satyagraha, the Non-Cooperation Movement, and the Quit India Movement, enduring several months
of imprisonment for his involvement. He passed away by 1990.
News