K. Muthuswamy Vallatharasu

Vallatharasu supported several social reform initiatives, including widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage, and the promotion of marriage ceremonies without Vedic rituals.^[2] He was a co-founder of the "Erode Samadharma Project" in 1933, alongside figures like Singaravelar, Periyar, and Jeeva, which aimed to promote social equality.^[2][3] Vallatharasu joined the Indian National Congress in the mid-1930s and rose to prominence as a leader in his region.^[4] In 1936, he was elected as a member of the local municipality, where he served for four years.^[4] During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Vallatharasu participated in an effort to demolish the Ramanathapuram-Thirumayam Jail, leading to the release of Chinna Annamalai, a fellow activist.^[5] For this action, he was imprisoned for two and a half years, serving time in Thanjavur and Vellore jails.^[5]

Following India's independence, Vallatharasu supported the integration of the princely state of Pudukkottai into the Indian Union.^[4] In 1952 Indian general election, he contested and won from Pudukkottai constituency as a candidate for the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (later merged into Praja Socialist Party) after being denied a ticket by the Indian National Congress.^[6] In 1957 Indian general election, he contested from 2 constituencies - Pudukkottai and Thanjavur and came second in both of them.^[6][7] He contested 1962 Indian general election from Thanjavur and lost.^[6]

Muthuswamy Vallatharasu died on 30 July 1968.^[8]