S.G. Murugaiyan

Sithamalli Govindan Murugaiyan (15 July 1931 – 5 January 1979), usually called S.G. Murugaiyan, was a communist politician in Tamil Nadu, India. S.G. Murugaiyan was a prominent leader of struggles of the oppressed sections of people in Mannargudi taluk, and became the first person from the Scheduled Castes in the state to be elected as revenue block chairman. In 1977 he was elected Member of Parliament. Two years later he was assassinated.

Personal life S.G. Murugaiyan was born on 15 July 1931 in Sithamalli, Mannargudi taluk. He hailed from a peasant family. He was the son of Govindan.

In 1962 Murugaiyan was elected chairman of the Kottur revenue block, being the first person from the Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu to be elected to such a post. He obtained 278,419 votes (53.95%), defeating Thanzai M. Karunnanithi from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The murder took place in broad daylight. CPI blamed "AIADMK goondas" for the murder.

Murugaiyan was one of three prominent communist leaders killed in Tamil Nadu in 1979. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran hastily travelled to the Sithamalli to pay his respects to the murdered leader.

A by-election was held in Nagapattinam, which was won by his fellow CPI member K. Murugaiyan.