Veeramani Award
Veeramani Award for Social Justice to Ravivarma kumar of Karnataka
The Lawyers’ Forum for Social Justice, New Delhi
organised a function at the Town Hall,
Bangalore on 4th November in which Prof. Ravivarma Kumar was honoured with the K.Veeramani Social Justice Award. The Award comprising a purse of Rs one lakh and a citation was given by Periyar International Chicago, USA. Periyar International is an organisation founded by the Indians residing in the United States and the Tamil members of this organisation are in a majority. Attracted and inspired by the ideals of Thanthai Periyar E.V.Ramasami, these people started this organisation to spread his ideals of social transformation.
Periyar International instituted the Veeramani Award for Social Justice in 1994 to honour those people who have contributed significantly to promote the cause of Social Justice. Sofar nine leaders were honoured with this award and Prof. Ravivarma Kumar is the 10th recipient of the Award.
Prof. Ravivarma Kumar is a senior advocate of Karnataka High Court and he was the First Chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. He is also an office bearer of the Lawyers’ Forum for Social Justice. His contributions to the cause of Social Justice are outstanding and praiseworthy, and therefore the Award Committee of Texas, of which Dr. Lakshman Tamil is the Chairman, has unanimously selected Prof. Ravivarma Kumar to honour his services with this Award.
Dr.S.Ilangovan, President of Periyar International, New Jersy has welcomed the gathering at the Award giving function. He remembered with gratitude and respect the five leaders, Jothiba Phule, Sahu Maharaj, Sri Narayana Guru. Periyar E.V.Ramasami and Baba Saheb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, who were the architects of the principle of Social Justice. He also remembered with gratitude the noble services of the great leaders Kamaraj, Arignar Anna (C.N.Annadurai) and Dr.V.P.Singh, former Prime Minister of India and the Saviour of Social Justice, who have implemented the recommendations of Mandal Commission by providing reservation to the OBCs in appointments to the posts of Central Government.
Dr. Ilangovan has also explained, with the aid of computer slides, in detail the rationale behind the principles of rationalism and self- respect propagated by Periyar. He also explained the reasons for naming this Award in the name of K.Veeramani. Inspired by the ideals of Periyar, K.Veeramani started his public service from his early age of 10 taking part in the public meetings and conferences organised by Dravidar Kazhagam and Periyar Self-respect Movement. Mr. K.Veeramani is a multifaceted personality, a very able organiser, a voracious reader and writer, lawyer, experienced and talented journalist, a great humanist, an Educationist administering about fifty educational institutions and Chancellor of Periyar Maniammai University. His intention is to use education as the basis for social transformation. Dr.Ilangovan listed out the achievements of these educational institutions. Dr.K.Veeramani, who is actively functioning like an youth of 25 years at his age of 76, is behind the scene of all these achievements. Dr. Ilangovan said the dreams of Periyar are becoming a reality through Dr.K.Veeramani, just like the dreams of Martin Luther King became a reality through Mr.Barrack Obama, the President of USA.
Dr.K.Veeramani while unveiling the portrait of L.G.Havanur, said that Prof. Ravivarma Kumar was his guide. The felicitation letters and messages received from all over the world were read in the meeting. The contributions and services rendered towards the cause of promotion of Social Justice was explained in detail in justification of his selection for this Award for Social Justice.
Dr.Lakshman Tamil presented the Award to Prof. Ravivarma Kumar and handed over the cheque for Rs. one lakh. Dr.K.Veeramani honoured Mr Ravivarma Kumar and Mrs.Sarada Ravikumar by presenting shawls.
Dr.N.Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Periyar Maniammai University, Vallam, Thanjavur, while delivering his speech, said that Periyar was of staunch opinion that people can develop themselves only through education. The educational institutions started by him in 1955 have grown like a grand banyan tree taking so many roots in the form of various types of new educational institutions under the leadership and guidance of Dr.K.Veeramani. Attracted by the way of implementation of Periyar PURA (Providing Urban facilities for Rural Areas), Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, former President of India, used to praise Periyar PURA wherever he went and whenever occasion permitted, Dr.Ramachandran said. He had also cited the remarks of Dr.V.P.Singh that one should learn from Dr.K.Veeramani how an educational institutions could be administered. He recollected the incident of Prof. Ravivarma Kumar’s participation when the Periyar Educational Institutions were distributing the relief assistance to the victims affected from Tsunami. He explained how Periyar Maniammai University is coaching the students failed in the examinations at 8th Std and 10th Std to enable them to get employment opportunities. He has also spoke about the efforts the University is taking to bring awareness about the environmental pollution and global warming among the people through its students.
Former Judge of Karnataka Mr. M.N.Roy while speaking said that this Award for Social Justice was given to the right person, a staunch fighter for Social Justice, at the right time. Social Justice means proportionate representation for people of all communities in administration, but in India it is not so, he said. Poverty is related to money in other countries, whereas in India it is related to caste, he added. When one goes lower in caste hierarchy , his poverty increases. The leftist parties have failed to notice this phenomena and that is why they could not take roots in our country. He wondered how the Brahmins, who are only 3 percent of the total population, are occupying the majority of high offices. He emphasised that we all should follow the footsteps of our pioneers and take forward the principle of Social Justice.
Thiru U.Bhupathi, President of the Karnataka Chapter of the Lawyers’ Forum for Social Justice explained how the Act to recognise the Self-respect Marriages was passed in Tamil Nadu and cited the case of the in-laws of Dr.K.Veeramani in this regard, whose Self-respect marriage was declared as not legal as per the Hindu Law prevailing at that time. Mr. Bhupathi reiterated such laws legalsing Self-respect Marriages should be enacted throughout the country. He mentioned the special qualities of Prof.Ravivarma Kumar. He also appreciated the achievements of Educational Institutions administered by Periyar Self-respect Movement. He told how Thiru Ranganathan and Tmt. Sornammal have donated their lifetime earnings of Rs.40 lakhs for the cause of education. Both of them were requested to come to the dais, they were honoured by presenting flower bouquets and were seated on the dais.
Then Dr.K.Veeramani, President of the All India Lawyers’ Forum for Social Justice, while delivering his address said that Prof. Ravivarma Kumar was his colleague and co-fighter in the struggle for achieving social justice. His address is given below:
Let me thank Periyar International of U.S.A. for the honour they have bestowed upon this humble disciple of Thanthai Periyar, an unparalleled original thinker and valiant fighter till he breathed his last. All the credit must go to my leader, mentor, Thanthai Periyar E.V.Ramasami, the greatest humanist.
My duty never ends with this thanks giving speech. Many more things are to be achieved by all of us who have gathered here as well as others who have the same goal.
First let us all work together and tirelessly to create awareness and unite the depressed, downtrodden, oppressed people of our country. Let us give a call, a slogan : “Backwards and downtrodden unite together.”
Awareness and unity are the need of the hour.
We are many, they are a few !
Yet it is they who rule for centuries together - Why and how?
Because of their cunning method of divide and rule.
That is why Baba saheb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar beautifully described it as “the graded inequality” - the Varna Dharma - Manus, are still our masters. They want us to be slaves for ever and that too, we must accept it silently without any grumble, accepting our servile position as our fate or destiny.
Hence a silent revolution - bloodless revolt is a must. The great battle must be fought not on the streets but in the minds of our people who are like dumb driven cattle.
Periyar used to tell the 3 percent Brahmins rule the roost - How? They are communally selfish, whereas we (the majority are) individually selfish.
Let us all join together to work for the uplift of our people sacrificing whatever advantages we may be getting by being the stooges of the upper caste monopolists!
Self-respect should be given number one priority. It does not belong to the people of any party or country but to all those who want to break the shackles, chains put on their brains.
Cultural conquest is worse than political or economic conquest!
We must heartily congratulate our Law Minister Veerappa Moily and saviour of the backwards for his colurage in demanding that the new census enumeration should be on the caste basis!
The social exploiters and communal monopolists may dub us as casteists. We should not be afraid of this kind of venomous propaganda.
They never gave up their caste-marks, the so called holy threads etc. Yet they want us to be dubbed as casteists. For your kind information our late lamented L.G.Havanur pointed out that the word ‘caste’ is found in 18 places in the Constitution of India.
The Constitution of India has not abolished caste; it recognizes legally the caste system. “Only ‘untouchability’ is abolished,” leaving the root, cutting the branches.
So we all support our Moily Averu’s stand and insist on it.
We demand that the Parliamentary Committee for the Backward Class should be formed and announced by the Government of India.
The 70 per cent of the people will be left with no representation, if such a committee is not announced.
Proper and due representation of the Backward Classes as well as Scheduled Castes is conspicuous by its absence!
Our social exploiters want us to be divided and see the left hand fighting against the right hand, cunningly making us to forget our rights.
We welcome reservation for women; but with one condition. Social Justice should be combined with gender justice.
Making indiscriminate reservation for women without providing for sub-quota for socially disadvantaged communities, will not promote real gender justice, but will lead to the political domination of upper caste women, in place of upper caste men.
The socalled progressive activists ask us how long you need this arrangment of reservation to continue, as if to urge us to bring equal opportunity to all.
There can be equality only among the equals; there cannot be equality among unequals!
The equality could be brought about by giving adequate representation to different communities in all posts, public as well as private.
Last but not the least, the higher judiciary should not be allowed to continue as an abode of the upper caste people under the guise of merit and efficiency.
What we want is parity and not charity (as pointed out by Justice Chennappa Reddy in the case of Vasantha Kumar). The days of Dronacharis and the meek, submissive Ekalaivas are over.
Let me pay my humble tribute to our leaders of Social Justice movement, the great Miller who was the pioneer for advocating reservation in Karnataka, our Devaraj Urs, L.G.Havanur, poet Sarvagnar and other Social Justice fighters.
If Mandals are opposed by Kamandals, we are ready to accept the challenge, fight for our just rights!
Once again I thank all our brothers and sisters of Karnataka for their show of unity amidst diversity.
Then Prof. Ravivarma Kumar delivered his acceptance speech and the same is given below:
Mr.L.G.Havanur is my guide who have helped me to properly understand the philosophy of Social Justice. It is a great honour to receive the award in the name of Dr.K.Veeramani, who is taking forward the principles of Social Justice formulated by Periyar.
While I was a student , Periyar had spoken in this same venue in 1973. Still his words like the roar of a lion are lingering in my ears. I could not comprehend in full all that he had spoken, but I could understand his words that there is no god or no heaven. It is a great privilege to receive the Award given by this International Organisation named after such a great leader, that too in a venue where Periyar had spoken. The Cash presented along with this award would be used to publish the book on the life history of the great leader L.G.Kavanur.
I could well remember my visit to the Vallam Periyar Maniammai University. The services rendered by Vice-Chancellor Dr.N.Ramachandran and the Coordinator of Periyar PURA, Mrs. Parveen are praiseworthy.
It is a new experience to hear Dr.K.Veeramani. He is undertaking Herculean tasks for the cause of Social Justice. Myself, along with Dr.K.Veeramani and others of a team, met Thiru Morarji Desai, the then Prime Minister of India in 1977 and presented a memorandum demanding the implementation of the report of the Backward Commission headed by Kaka Kalelkar. The Prime Minister was not willing to concede to our demand. But on the insistence of Dr.K.Veeramani, the Prime Minister assured to appoint a new Backward Commission. Mandal Commission is the commission appointed in this manner. Dr.K.Veeramani was the person responsible for the appointment of Mandal Commission and the benefits OBCs got from its recommendations.
I am a rationalist following the principles of atheism of Periyar. After marriage, my wife Sarada has also changed her attitude. We are bringing up our children without any notion of caste. Dr.K.Veeramani called me as co-figher in the struggle for Social Justice. I assure you that we will continue our fight both in the premises of courts and in the streets, in the courts of people. I take this opportunity to extend my thanks to my teachers, friends, colleagues, mother, wife and children.
Dr.A.S.Dwarkanath, Chairman, Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes in his presidential address praised the noble qualities of Prof.Ravivarma Kumar and wished him to get many more awards and felicitations.
The pleasant function came to an end at 9.00 p.m. Many learned people, former and present judges, advocates and general public participated in the function and felicitated Prof.Ravivarma Kumar.
