Quiet, yet impactful crusader for social justice, Justice MS Janarthanam.
In a heartfelt obituary penned by Dhileepan Pakutharivu, a practicing advocate before the Madras High Court, the life of the late Justice M.S. Janarthanam is celebrated as a testament to ethical principles, social justice, and unwavering commitment to equality.
Justice Janarthanam, who passed away at the age of 89 on June 6, 2025, stood tall among those remembered for his ethical principles. His tenure was marked by impartiality and credibility, as he was retained as chairman of the Backward Classes Commission even when political power shifted from the DMK to the AIADMK, underscoring bipartisan trust in his principled and objective approach to social justice.
Born in Cuddalore district, Justice Janarthanam began his legal career as a practicing criminal lawyer before joining the district judicial service. His journey continued, leading him to rise through the ranks from district judge to Registrar of the Madras High Court, and eventually becoming a judge of the same Court. Post-retirement, he served as the President of the Tamil Nadu State Consumer Disputes Reddisal Commission and as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission.
One of Justice Janarthanam's most significant contributions was his work in structuring internal reservations within backward classes in Tamil Nadu. His efforts, particularly focusing on the Arunthathiyar community, helped institutionalize sub-classification to promote equitable social justice and affirmative action within broad caste categories.
During his tenure as the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission from 2006 to 2015, he studied and recommended policies related to intra-category reservation distribution, ensuring fair representation among sub-groups within the backward classes. One of his landmark efforts was recommending a 3% internal reservation within the Scheduled Castes quota specifically for the Arunthathiyar community. This recommendation led to the Tamil Nadu government enacting a law in 2009 that formally granted this internal reservation, grouping seven Scheduled Caste sub-castes under the Arunthathiyar umbrella for preferential treatment in education and employment.
The Supreme Court, in August 2024, upheld the constitutional validity of this sub-classification-based reservation, affirming the state’s power to ensure equitable distribution within reserved categories. This judicial endorsement was based on the framework and recommendations that Justice Janarthanam had helped establish.
Justice Janarthanam's life was not a parade of positions, but a sustained pursuit of equality, whether in a trial court, a commission, or the High Court Bench. He understood that justice is not merely an idea, but a lived experience for those it serves. He embodied the creed that the rule of law is social justice based on public order.
In death, Justice Janarthanam eschewed religious rituals, a personal affirmation of his secular and rationalist ideals. The State of Tamil Nadu conferred full honours upon him "in recognition of his contributions to social justice."
Justice S Baskaran remembered Justice MS Janarthanam's tenure as Registrar General, stating that he ran the Court with discipline and compassion. A portrait of Justice MS Janarthanam was unveiled at Thidal on June 11, 2025, as a tribute to his life's work.
The views expressed in this obituary are solely personal and should not be attributed to any professional institutions that the author is affiliated with. Justice MS Janarthanam was a man of quiet conviction, known for judgments that brimmed with moral clarity and legal depth. His legacy will continue to inspire those who strive for a more equitable society.
Through his illustrious career, Justice Janarthanam made significant strides in education-and-self-development and personal-growth, rising from a practicing criminal lawyer to becoming a judge of the Madras High Court. His contributions extended beyond the courtroom, as he advocated for career-development of marginalized communities, most notably through his work on sub-classification-based reservations in Tamil Nadu. His recommendations, notably the 3% internal reservation for the Arunthathiyar community, enacted in 2009, continue to impact social justice and affirmative action within broader caste categories.
