It’s joy to see Republic Day now, says Member of Provisional Parl

Reminiscing the events around the country’s maiden Republic Day, 96-year-old TM Kaliannan, the lone surviving member of the Provisional Parliament, was relaxing on an easy chair in his house at Tiruchengode in Namakkal district and watching the celebrations that were aired on televisions on Thursday. “I am elated to see colourful parades and diverse cultural events being part of the present day celebrations,” he told DTNext over phone. 

Prior to the formation of the Lok Sabha, members of the Provisional Parliament were elected by the respective State Assemblies. As his relative and member of the parliament P Subbarayan quitting the position on his appointment as Ambassador of Indonesia in 1949, Kaliannan, who was 28 then, filled up that vacancy. He remained a member of this parliament till 1952. Like many other members of the House, Kaliannan stayed in the hostel like quarters, from where they were taken to Parliament by a bus. 

“A few leaders like Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel only came by car. In those days, Patel alone was provided high security as he faced threat to his life from several kings across the country. Most of the rulers opposed Patel because of his efforts to form a unified India merging small kingdoms. 

“A convoy of six used to go before and behind his car,” recalls Kaliannan. “Weather used to be chill those days in New Delhi. Parliament alone had the required facilities to condition the air according to the climate. I had the rare chance of listening to debates of senior politicians. There was a divide between the members from northern states and the south. The north Indian leaders will always try to dominate the House,” he added. 

Kaliannan said that most of the members would address in Hindi and only a few would speak in English in the House. He was proud being part of the committee that framed the Constitution of India. Later, Kaliannan returned to State politics and was thrice elected to the legislative assembly. 

He was active in politics till 1970. He signed off from public life due to old age and his last event was three years ago at the Rajaji-founded Gandhi Ashram in Tiruchengode, where he hoisted the tricolour on Independence Day. Even today, local Congress leaders go to him for advice on several issues. “I am not that vibrant in politics like in the past, but enjoy watching and joining debates of the kind,” say Kaliannan. 

On the prevailing scenario in Tamil Nadu, he said, “Democracy exists, but its functions are changing with the course of time. Public are responsible for it because it depends on whom they vote to power,” he said. On the riots for the jallikattu protests he felt that it was wrong to blame the police. “After all they have only done their duty,” was his parting shot.