On 26.02.1852 – The Madras Native Association was founded by Gazulu Lakshmi Narslu Chetty to fight for the emancipation and protect the fundamental rights of the indigenous native population of Madras, in a non-violent and peaceful manner. The British Government made the Charles Wood Despatch – Minute on Education and this brought in series of changes in the fundamentals of Education system in India which is prevalent even today. The other major aspect that shook Madras at that point in time was land tenure, Motrupha Tax and most importantly Torture being employed casually, as a means by the British officials to extract revenue from the landed. This was a cannon waiting to explode in the face of the British. The Madras Crescent newspaper and Hindu Press, ably captained by Gazulu Lakshmi Narslu Chetty, stood as a beautiful beacon of hope for the millions in Madras which supported and gave voice to the political agitations and memorials of the Madras Native Association.
The MNA had sent various memorials and representations to the Madras and Bengal Governments but it was in vain as post the 1853 charter Act, it was the crown which was in direct control of the company in India. The Founder of MNA knew that the British Government of the Imperial Parliament in London were the ultimate masters and not those in Leadenhall street. This led to the dynamic Free British press taking over the case of the Land Tenure in Madras more specifically torture. The Huddersfield Chronicle, The Morning Star, The Hobart Courier, The Times, The Hong Kong and China Overseas Mail, The Homeward Mail, were amongst the few newspapers which carried embarrassing headlines about the system of torture prevalent throughout Madras which led to the Members of Parliament in Great Britain including members of the ruling party to take up this issue for discussion and debate in the British Parliament. The MNA was subsequently known globally for its non-violent democratic movement, was always at the forefront of fighting for the rights of the natives in Madras.