S. Srinivasa Iyengar, widely known as Seshadri Srinivasa Iyengar CIE, emerged as one of India's most illustrious freedom fighters and legal luminaries during the colonial period. A key figure in the Indian National Congress, he made substantial contributions to India’s struggle for independence. Born on September 11, 1874, in the Ramanathapuram district of what was then the Madras Presidency, Iyengar's early academic achievements laid the foundation for his future endeavors as a prominent lawyer at the Madras High Court.
Iyengar's political career flourished as he occupied
pivotal positions in the Madras Presidency, including his tenure as Advocate
General from 1916 to 1920. His role as a member of the bar council from 1912 to
1920 further solidified his standing in the legal community. Notably, he served
as a law member of the executive council of the Governor during these years,
demonstrating his commitment to the administration. However, his patriotism and
devotion to India's quest for freedom took precedence over his political
appointments. In a bold act of dissent, he resigned from his esteemed posts and
returned his Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1920 to
protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a pivotal moment in the struggle
against British colonialism that galvanized national outrage.
