C. Karunakara Menon

Karunakara Menon was born in a Nair family (Cozhisseri Tharavadu) of Parappanangadi, Malabar district, Madras Presidency. He graduated in law from the University of Madras and joined The Hindu as a sub-editor. On graduation, he plunged into public life in 1890 when he opposed the Malabar Marriage Bill of T. Muthuswamy Iyer. Menon's opposition to the bill impressed Muthuswamy Iyer to such an extent that a close friendship developed between the two. During this time, Menon also developed friendship with T. Madhava Rao. == Rise to prominence ==

When G. Subramania Iyer, the editor of The Hindu, travelled to the United Kingdom to give evidence before the Welby Commission, Menon managed the newspaper in his absence When Veeraraghavachariar took over The Hindu in October 1898, he appointed Karunakara Menon as the editor. Menon edited The Hindu till 1905 when he founded The Indian Patriot. In 1903, Veeraraghavachariar said of Karunakara Menon: == Editorship of The Indian Patriot ==

The Indian Patriot toed a difficult path. It was one of the few newspapers of the time which openly supported the Indian National Congress. It strongly opposed the perpetuators of the Alipore bomb case and claimed to stand on the side of law and order. == Death ==

Menon died in 1922 at his residence Cozhissery House in Parappanangadi due to complications of stroke. == As a statesman ==

V. Krishnaswamy Iyer had a very high opinion of Menon's abilities. He felt that Menon was a statesman of good calibre and that he was wasting his time in the journalism profession. He is believed to have remarked once: Krishnaswamy Iyer's views were supported by the fact that the then Governor of Madras, Arthur Lawley consulted Menon regularly. == Ideology ==

Menon supported the Home Rule Movement in Madras Presidency. Even while he opposed the political ambitions of the non-Brahmin movement he still supported their social reform activities. == Notes ==