Political Positions
Usman was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party candidate in 1920 and served as a legislator from 1920 to 1923. Usman served as the President of the Corporation of Madras in 1924–25 and as the Shera of Madras in 1924. In October 1921, the Raja of Panagal, the Chief Minister of Madras, established a committee on Indigenous Systems of Medicine. He appointed Usman, the Secretary of the committee. In 1922, this Committee concluded that Ayurveda was based on genuine scientific theories and noted that its practice has been waning over the years. On March 30, 1925, Usman was appointed member of the executive council of the Governor of Madras. He was elected president of the Muhammedan Education Association of South India in 1930.
When the Raja of Bobbili took over as the Chief Minister or Premier of the Madras Presidency, Usman was made the Minister of Home in the provincial government. However, Usman resigned in 1934 recommending A. T. Panneerselvam as his successor. Muslims of the Madras Presidency felt betrayed that Usman had not recommended a Muslim for the post and strongly opposed the candidature of Panneerselvam who was a Christian. Violent Muslim-Christian riots erupted in the province. Though the riots were eventually quelled, the incidents radicalized public opinion, both Muslim and Christian, against the Justice Party.
In 1935, Usman became the first Indian President of the Rotary Club of Madras.
Read more about this topic: Mohammad Usman Of Madras
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