April 14, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public gathering in Yamunanagar on Monday, paid a heartfelt tribute to Kerala-born lawyer and freedom fighter Chettur Sankaran Nair for his fearless resistance against the British following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Marking 106 years since the horrific event in Amritsar, where hundreds of unarmed civilians were gunned down by British troops, PM Modi emphasized that while the nation rightfully remembers the victims, it’s also important to honour unsung heroes like Nair who stood tall in the face of British oppression.
“The entire nation celebrated Baisakhi yesterday, but it also marked 106 years of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. We pay homage to those who lost their lives. There is another aspect to it that remained in darkness—one of standing with humanity and the nation. That spirit was embodied by Sankaran Nair,” said the Prime Minister.
PM Modi recalled that despite holding a high-ranking position under British rule, Nair chose to sacrifice his status and privileges to stand for justice. Deeply moved by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Nair raised his voice and took legal action against the British government, a move that made history.
“He was from Kerala, and the incident happened in Punjab. But Sankaran Nair stood for unity and truth. His story is one we should all learn from,” Modi urged, calling upon people from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh to educate themselves and their children about Nair’s contributions.
Adding a contemporary pop-culture connection, PM Modi noted that Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is bringing C Sankaran Nair’s story to the big screen through the upcoming film Kesari 2, which releases on April 18. Kumar will portray the legendary lawyer who fought not with weapons, but with the law and unwavering courage.
The actor recently took to Instagram to honour Nair’s legacy, sharing a monochrome image of himself and the historical figure, with the caption:
“The mind of the South. The might of the North. Together, we fought. Together, we rose.”
He added, “Sankaran Nair didn’t fight with a weapon—he fought with the law and the fire in his soul.