On 19th December, 1973 Periyar delivered his final speech at a venue in (Pitti) Theagaraya Nagar, Chennai, (Tamil Nadu). It can be called his Swansong — final oration on a stage – because he passed away within five days, on 24th December, 1973. This last speech of his is remembered even today as an outlet of his “last wish” and a verbal legacy for the people. The excerpts from his speech are as follows:
My dear cadres, followers, well-wishers and friends, today I decided to convey my regret that I have not succeeded in my task of uplifting you all. According to the graded inequality imposed by fanatics we are all described as the fourth caste Sudhras and fifth caste Panchamas. What we need now is sense of honour. We should no longer live in the slush of indignity. We can come to the level ground only if we climb up. We have been belittled by brahminocracy. This has to change before we move further. I am sure my dream will come true atleast after my life time.
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Strength in rights:
Dear comrades, our strength lies only in our fundamental rights. Our average life span today is 52 years – not 500! Somehow I am 95 today as an exception, but an exception cannot be a rule. May be atleast ten more men may be like me around 95. What I mean to say is that we must make it fast and safeguard all our basic rights. Because of the British rule we have got a lot of comforts, new inventions and facilities. They have made our life easy to a great extent. What we need now is dignity and unfathomable knowledge to come up in life.
We should fight for our rights and resist autocrats who have been suppressing us denying our basic rights, such as education and literacy. When we started self-respect movement very few of our people were educated. Ten out of a hundred might have been literate. We made people realise their right to education. By our fights and efforts today a large number of people in our society have become literate. Only such rights can keep us strong for ever.
People’s Movement:
I believe that our Rationalist movement is a People’s movement in all respects. Nature has provided only humans with the power of reasoning. No other species on the earth has an ability to reason except us. We had to start Rationalist movement to create an awareness in people about the dire need of rationalist outlook. It has grown rapidly as a movement of the people.
The rationalists of western countries have come out with amazing inventions using their power of reasoning and scientific spirit. Scientists there have found out ways for child birth without conjugal relationship. Drugs have been invented for many diseases that were once considered incurable. We enjoy longevity today owing to their inventions. By the end of 20th century you people would find a great fall in the rate of mortality but I may not exist to witness it. I urge upon all of you to nourish rationalism and develop in society on a par with the foreigners. Emulate them and compete with them in paving the way for faster advancement in life. My purpose today is to motivate you all to achieve it.
Three per cent ‘minorities’:
A group of fanatics who are just three per cent of the population have been dominating us. Is it not a matter of shame for us all? Am I the only person ashamed of the denigration? Since 1925 I have been struggling to make you all think about this humiliation. No other political leader joined me in this fight because they are selfish people who always think about the next election – not about the next generation.
We have succeeded only partially. We could invade employment and education and reap benefits to some extent. This was possible because our revolution was always silent; never violent. There was no vendetta spree in our agitations. We assaulted none. We avoided force. Our State Government today has not even one brahmin in the ministry. Is it not a sign of our victory? We fought to eradicate blind belief and people have proved by their mandate that they are with us. It is said “well begun is half done”. We have achieved a half. We still have to go a long way. Even if I cease to exist, you should all complete the journey that I began.
Inverted commas:
In our Constitution the word “untouchability” is found within inverted commas since it is a significant problem in our society. The Constitution is in favour of abolishing “untouchability” but not in favour of eradicating religions. How can castes be abolished without abolishing religions? As long as birth based discriminations exist, caste system, religious extremism and inequality would also exist. We need your collective efforts to annihilate all these evils and establish social justice. Come forward to achieve this objective for the sake of your family; your wife and children – not merely to satisfy me or to pacify me. Think freely and decide on your own.
Pseudo philosophies:
All the outdated codes of conduct and pseudo philosophies should be thrown overboard in order to achieve true liberation. Ancient scriptures and mythologies have made our people irrational. This must change in the ‘World to Come’. You should reject everything that does not make any sense. Shed all the inhibitions and cultivate a rationalist outlook. Stay away from mind-boggling superstitions fabricated by fanatics long ago. Heaven and hell, destiny and salvation are all pseudo philosophies framed to mislead people. Stay away from all such illusions.
Social reformation is a noble task. Fight for it with an unflinching resolve and unswerving patience. Forming an egalitarian society is now your responsibility because I have lived my life and I am a little bit exhausted. You should make my dreams come true.
True contentment:
Never forget that self-respective life alone can cause a contented life. Never give up your self-respect and lead a life of servility. Honour and intellect are invaluable for each of you. Do not stoop before anyone losing your self-respect. Transformation of a regressive society needs rebels – not geniuses. Use your will power to swim against the cross-currents of life. Remember at all times that you were all born to win. Thank you comrades.
Source: ‘Viduthalai
Translated by: M.R.Manohar
