Prohibition Movement in Tamil Nadu: Congress Activities During Freedom Struggle
By P. N. Premalatha
Summary
The Indian National Congress played a significant role in the prohibition movement in Tamil Nadu during the freedom struggle, leveraging it both as a social reform effort and a political tool against British colonial revenue systems. The movement aimed to ban intoxicants for non-medical purposes, with the Congress recognizing prohibition as a means to reduce excise revenue critical to colonial finances, particularly in the Madras Presidency where alcohol sales generated nearly a quarter of government income. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) and later the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) provided momentum, with Congress leaders like C. Rajagopalachari, E.V. Ramaswami Naicker, and N.S. Rangaswami Iyer organizing "thondur padai" volunteer corps to picket liquor shops, disrupt sales, and encourage public participation. Tactics included boycotting toddy shops, damaging alcohol production infrastructure, and mobilizing women like Nagammal and Kannammal in passive resistance. Despite initial successes—such as a 30% drop in toddy sales and reduced excise revenue—the movement faced violent suppression, with leaders imprisoned and protests met with police brutality. The 1931 Gandhi-Irwin Pact temporarily legitimized peaceful picketing, enabling intensified campaigns involving students during school holidays. However, post-pact, liquor consumption and government revenue from alcohol actually increased, reflecting the movement's limited long-term impact. The Congress's efforts highlighted the tension between social reform and political strategy, with the Madras Prohibition Act of 1937 ultimately passing under a Congress-led government, though enforcement remained inconsistent.
Conclusion
The prohibition movement in Tamil Nadu during the freedom struggle, led by the Congress, demonstrated the strategic use of grassroots mobilization and civil disobedience to challenge colonial economic policies and social reform. By integrating prohibition into broader movements like Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience, the Congress successfully pressured the Madras Government, significantly reducing excise revenue and passing the Madras Prohibition Act of 1937. The movement's emphasis on mass participation, including women and students, and innovative tactics like the "thondur padai" volunteers, highlighted its cultural and political impact. Despite temporary setbacks due to suspended movements, the Congress sustained advocacy through constructive programs, ultimately contributing to legislative change. This outcome underscored the interplay of social reform and anti-colonial resistance, showcasing how localized movements could shape policy while advancing national independence.