J. Sivashanmugam Pillai: a tall leader of Tamil Nadu belonging to what was once known Depressed Classes

Despite being the second-largest Scheduled Caste group in Tamil Nadu, the community has yet to have a Scheduled Caste Chief Minister. While other states have had Dalit Chief Ministers, Tamil Nadu's highest position held by a SC leader was Home Minister during the 1960s. The release of the Tamil film "Maamannan" brought attention to the lack of representation and sparked conversations about historical figures like J. Sivashanmugam Pillai, who became the first Dalit Mayor in Chennai in 1937. Pillai's achievements as a leader included advocating for economic independence for SCs and serving as Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.