S.G. Murugaiyan
Sithamalli Govindan Murugaiyan (15 July 1931 – 5 January 1979), usually called S.G. Murugaiyan (), was a communist politician in Tamil Nadu, India. S.G. Murugaiyan was a prominent leader of struggles of Dalits in Mannargudi taluk, and became the first Dalit in the state to be elected as revenue block chairman. In 1977 he was elected Member of Parliament. Two years later he was assassinated. Personal life. S.G. Murugaiyan was born on 15 July 1931 in Sithamalli, Mannargudi taluk. He hailed from a peasant family. He was the son of Govindan. Murugaiyan studied up to Matriculation. He married Nagammal in  1955, and had four sons and four daughters. Struggles in Mannargudi taluk. Murugaiyan emerged as a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India in his local area in the 1950s. In 1962 Murugaiyan was elected chairman of the Kottur revenue block, being the first Dalit in Tamil Nadu to be elected to such a post. He retained this post until 1970. He also served as the Nochoiour gram panchayat president 1956-1970. Murugaiyan spearheaded struggles of Dalit communities in Kottur, challenging discrimination in terms of access to wells, streets and temples and mobilizing for better housing for villagers. These  campaigns were often met with violent resistance, and Murugaiyan was known for carrying knives and firearms. In 1970 he became the president of the Thanjavur District unit of the Kisan Sabha. Member of Parliament. Murugaiyan was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house of the parliament of India) from the Nagapattinam constituency in the 1977 Indian general election. He obtained 278,419 votes (53.95%), defeating Thanzai M. Karunnanithi from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Murder and legacy. Murugaiyan was stabbed to death on 5 January 1979, in Sithamalli, near his home. The murder took place in broad daylight. CPI blamed "AIADMK goondas