On the 20th of September 1878, four law students and two teachers gathered in Madras to launch a weekly publication that would eventually become one of India's most respected newspapers. This group, known as the Triplicane Six, included T.T. Rangacharya, P.V. Rangacharya, D. Kesava Rao Pantulu, and N. Subba Rao Pantulu, all led by G. Subramania Iyer, a schoolteacher from Tanjore district, and M. Veeraraghavacharyar, a lecturer at Pachaiyappa's College. Their vision was to create a voice for the English-speaking community in southern India, a demographic that was largely ignored by the existing press of the time. The newspaper began as a modest weekly, but its founders had grand ambitions for what it could become. They believed that a newspaper could serve as a catalyst for social and political change, a belief that would guide the paper through decades of transformation. The early years were marked by a strong commitment to intellectual rigor and a desire to inform the public about issues that mattered to them. The founders' backgrounds in law and education gave the paper a unique perspective, one that combined legal precision with educational depth. This foundation would later become the bedrock upon which The Hindu built its reputation for reliability and integrity.
The Kasturi Family Legacy
In 1905, the newspaper underwent a pivotal transformation when it was purchased by S. Kasturi Ranga Iyengar, the paper's legal adviser since 1895. This acquisition marked the beginning of a family-owned legacy that would span over a century. Iyengar's purchase was not merely a business transaction; it was a commitment to preserving the newspaper's core values while adapting to the changing times. The partnership between Veeraraghavacharyar and Subramania Iyer had dissolved in 1898, leaving Iyer as the sole owner. Under his leadership, the newspaper began to expand its reach and influence. The Kasturi family, now known as the Kasturi family, has maintained control over the newspaper through generations, with senior editorial positions always held by family members or those appointed by them. This continuity has been a defining feature of The Hindu, ensuring that the paper's editorial direction remains consistent with its founding principles. The family's involvement has been both a strength and a point of contention, as seen in various disputes over editorial control and management. Despite these challenges, the Kasturi family has managed to keep The Hindu at the forefront of Indian journalism, balancing tradition with innovation.The Bofors Scandal
In 1987, The Hindu made headlines with its groundbreaking coverage of the Bofors arms deal scandal, a series of document-backed exclusives that set the terms of the national political discourse. The scandal broke in April 1987 when Swedish Radio alleged that bribes had been paid to top Indian political leaders, officials, and Indian Army officers in return for the Swedish arms manufacturing company winning a hefty contract with the Government of India for the purchase of 155 mm howitzers. During a six-month period, the newspaper published scores of copies of original papers that documented the secret payments, amounting to $50 million, into Swiss bank accounts, the agreements behind the payments, communications relating to the payments, and other material. The investigation was led by a part-time correspondent of The Hindu, Chitra Subramaniam, reporting from Geneva, and was supported by N. Ram in Chennai. The scandal was a major embarrassment to the party in power at the center, the Indian National Congress, and its leader Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The paper's editorial accused the Prime Minister of being party to massive fraud and cover-up. This coverage not only established The Hindu as a serious investigative force but also demonstrated its willingness to challenge powerful political figures, even at the risk of backlash. The Bofors scandal remains a defining moment in the newspaper's history, showcasing its commitment to truth and accountability.