PULIANTHOPPU AND PERAMBUR – MADRAS LABOUR RIOTS, 1921

A Roit is a spontaneous outburst of the people on some casual issues. It isobvious that major riots were not planned or organized , and they often lackedleadership. They were in the nature of disputes between two parties , or they were theviolent activities of a party of the people on some fortuitous issues. Major riots occuredafter a period of time during which tensions mounted to such an extent that only a smallincident was needed to let loose the pent-up furies. Riots took place in the form ofcommunal strife, caste conflict, sectarian clash, labour unrest, student disturbance,religious trouble, political discontent. Several factors contributed for the development ofa riotous situation in Madras in 1921. Even though it was a labour riot, the existing castesystem also played an important role in the riots. It was a collective violence leveledagainst the Adi-Dravida Labourers. It was an unlawful exercise of physical force so as toinjure the Adi-Dravida workers and damage their huts and properties. Other words usedin connection with these Madras Riots were, 'unnatural', 'undue' , 'extreme' and'vehement'. The formation of Madras Labour Union in 1918 in Madras intensifiedlabour strikes against the authority of Buckingham and Carnatic Mills (B & C Mills).Adopting divide and rule policy, the Government induced the Adi-Dravida Labourersnot to join the Labour strikes organized by the Madras Labour Union which led toLabour Riots in Pulianthoppu and Perambur in Madras, called 'Madras Riots’