Karan Johar’s latest release, Kesari Chapter 2, has stirred a national awakening by spotlighting the life of Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair — a long-forgotten icon of India’s freedom struggle. Nair, a towering legal and political figure, was the youngest President of the Indian National Congress (elected in 1897) and a relentless advocate for justice and reform during British rule.

Early Life and Education Born on July 11, 1857, in Mankara, Palakkad district, to Parvathy Amma Chettur and Mammayil Ramunni Panicker, Sankaran Nair hailed from the prestigious matrilineal Nair family. He received traditional education at home and later attended schools in Malabar. After excelling at the Provincial School in Kozhikode, he earned his arts degree from Presidency College, Madras in 1877, followed by a law degree from Madras Law College in 1879.

Legal and Political Career Nair began his law practice in 1880 and rose rapidly in stature. He served as Advocate-General of Madras (1906–1908) and was appointed a puisne judge in the Madras High Court in 1908, serving until 1915. Known for his progressive rulings, he notably upheld the rights of Hindu converts.

He was knighted in 1912 and served on the Viceroy’s Executive Council as the Education Member (1915–1919). He strongly opposed British autocracy, penning two critical Minutes of Dissent against British policies in 1919. Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he resigned from the Council in protest — a bold act that sent shockwaves through the British administration.

Role in the Freedom Movement Nair presided over the Indian National Congress in 1897 and was an eloquent critic of British misrule. He later headed the Indian Central Committee to engage with the Simon Commission in 1928, calling for Dominion Status for India. He eventually retired from politics after the British announced Dominion Status as India's ultimate goal.

Literary and Editorial Work Nair authored Gandhi and Anarchy, a controversial critique of Mahatma Gandhi’s methods, and founded journals like Madras Review and Madras Law Journal, promoting intellectual discourse.

Family and Legacy Married to Palat Kunhimalu Amma (Lady Sankaran Nair), they had six children. His lineage includes eminent figures like Sir C. Madhavan Nair (son-in-law), diplomats K.P.S. Menon and Shivshankar Menon (descendants), Lt. Gen. K.P. Candeth (grandson), and NASA astronaut Anil Menon (great-great-grandson).

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair passed away on April 24, 1934, aged 77. His courage, intellect, and principled stand against colonial injustice remain a powerful legacy.