H. M. Cassime


H. M. Cassime ''', was a Tamil-born businessman. He served as mayor of Pondicherry from 15 September 1956 to 3 November 1961, during the merger of Pondicherry from French India to the Republic of India.

Early life

H. M.Cassime was born to Mouhamad Haniff, and Mouhamadmoidinebiby. Cassime's eldest son, C. M. Achraff, born C. Mohamed Acharaff, was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry, winning 7 times in Assembly Elections from 1964 until his death in 1999. Achraff was a Deputy Mayor and a Minister of the Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry. Acharaff is one of 155 people from Pondicherry who was awarded the Tamrapatra.

Political life

Cassime was a businessman who took part in politics during the French and Indian periods. He was one of the 14 important Politicians of French Pondicherry who openly sent Telegrams to the French Government emphasising the importance of ceding Pondicherry and the French Settlements in India to the Indian Union as the logical choice owing to the racial, geographical, historical, economic and cultural contacts and similarities that Pondicherry had with the rest of Indian Union. This gave impetus to the Freedom Movement of Pondicherry. He was one of the 178 signatories of the Khizhoor Referendum held in 1954 which led to the Cession of Pondicherry to India from the French. He was the Mayor of Pondicherry for periods before and after the De Facto transfer of Pondicherry. From 1966 until his death in 1986, he was the President of the Chambre de Commerce - Chamber of Commerce of Pondicherry.

Posts

Recognition