M.K. Stalin
Chief Minister
Tamil Nadu
On 28th December, 2023, a special event, as a part of the celebration of ‘Vaikom Struggle Centenary’, was to be held in Chennai at the Trade Centre in Nandambakkam in a grand manner. Owing to the passing away of Thiru. Vijayakanth, the Former Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the event could not be held. It had to be inevitably called off as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
Since Thiru. PinarayiVijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala had already arrived at Chennai to participate in the event, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu escorted him and visited Periyar Thidal, the Head Quarters of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) in Chennai. They placed wreaths at the memorial of Thanthai Periyar and paid floral tributes. Asiriyar Dr.K.Veermanai, the President of Dravidar Kazhagam received them and accompanied. A special centenary issue (1924-2023) commemorating Vaikom Struggle was launched and formally released on the occasion. Another book under the title “Periyar and the Vaikom Struggle” was also simultaneously released. Respectful Ministers, the Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation and the Members of the State Assembly too graced the occasion by their presence.
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Hon’ble Chief Minister could not deliver his speech owing to unprecedented circumstances. The content of his prepared speech was as follows:
Vanakkam to the entire audience. At the outset I would like to place on record, a very important news. Owing to the recent torrential rains and deluge, the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu were terribly affected causing intolerable sufferings to the people. During that moment of crisis, the people of Kerala sent relief materials for us under the caption ‘With love from Kerala’. The help extended in time revealed their spirit of brotherhood and humanism. Many officers from Kerala arrived and offered various relief materials. I thank all the people of Kerala and the Chief Minister Thiru. Pinarayi Vijayan wholeheartedly on behalf of all the people of Tamil Nadu. We are grateful to Kerala for this noble gesture.
When Thanthai Periyar was felicitated by the title ‘Vaikom Warrior’, Kalaignar thus wrote like fire – sparks in print:
Whom did we call‘Vaikom Warrior’?
Periyar – who smashed caste barrier!
Entire world hailed his victory,
Gave this title and scripted history!!
Thanthai Periyar fought for the welfare of people for 95 long years until he left us all. He laid down his life to establish social justice and organised numerous self-respect agitations. The most significant of them all was the Vaikom Struggle. It reflected what he had once declared about his vision and mission. It was thus in his own words:
“I, E.V.Ramasamy, have resolved to reform the Dravidian society and make its people lead a life of self-respect and dignity like all others in other societies. I have been deeply involved in this service quite willingly with great resolve. I am not sure if I am capable or competent enough to accomplish this noble task. I have undertaken it since no body else has come forward so far.”
Thanthai Periyar was such an invincible Vaikom Warrior. He is rightly hailed also as the ‘Torch of Rationalism’ by his admirers. I am immensely glad to participate in the centenary of a struggle in which he had played a vital role. I am extremely proud of this participation. I cordially welcome the Hon’ble Chief Minister and our beloved comrade Thiru. Pinarayi Vijayan who has arrived to participate in this event and grace the occasion. A warm welcome to you, Sir.
As Vaikom Struggle was held jointly by the social reformers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it would be quite apt if both the states celebrate jointly the centenary of the struggle too. Accordingly on 1st April, 2023, the inauguration was held in Kerala by Respectful Pinarayi Vijayan, in which I too participated honouring his kind invitation. This special event today is being organised by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister of Kerala has graced the occasion by his presence. Vaikom Struggle has proved that victory is certain by a united fight.
The social revolutionary movement in Kerala was held as a sequence by the Stalwarts Narayana Guru, Dr.Padmanabhan, Kumaran Asan, Ayyankali and T.K. Madhavan. Revolutionary movement in Tamil Nadu was led by Ramalinga Vallalar,Vaikuntasamy, Athipakkam Venkatachalanar, Iyothidasar Pandidhar, T.M. Nair and Thanthai Periyar in that order.
Thiru. T.K. Madhavan of Kerala and Thanthai Periyar of Tamil Nadu collaborated and conducted the victorious Vaikom Struggle by united efforts. This struggle of 1924-25 has found a prominent place in the history of social reformations in India.
In the Travancore Princely State of Yesteryears, the oppressed people were not allowed to walk on the common roads and streets around and also in the vicinity of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. The struggle started to revoke the prohibition. On 30th March, 1924, eminent leader of Kerala Thiru T.K. Madhavan commenced the historic struggle.
Within a few days of the commencement, all the prominent Congress leaders of that locality were arrested. The struggle was hampered without leaders to lead it. Under such circumstances, upon the request and invitation of the leaders of Kerala, Thanthai Periyar, who was then the President of the Congress Committee in Tamil Nadu, arrived at Vaikom and assumed leadership for the Vaikom Struggle as a great relief to all. He stayed at Vaikom and executed perfect co-ordination with all the protesters and supporters for the cause. He propagated the objective of the struggle and made the mass realise its dire need and pave the way for the ultimate success of the struggle.
During the struggle Periyar was arrested twice. The first imprisonment was in the Arukutti prison cell. He suffered in it for a month. When he was arrested for the second time, he was awarded rigorous imprisonment for four months. However, he suffered for one month in the prison cell in Trivandrum.
Vaikom struggle went on for totally 603 days. Periyar’s participation was of 141 days, of which 74 days were spent in prison cells. In connection with Vaikom Struggle Thanthai Periyar had to leave Tamil Nadu and arrive at Kerala totally seven times. Other convicts were all treated as political prisoners but Periyar was mercilessly treated as a convicted criminal. His arms and legs were bound by chains and a piece of wooden frame was hung on his neck. He was dumped in a dungeon-like cell. About Periyar’s prison experiences K.P. Kesava Menon has written in detail in his book – “Bandhanathil Ninnu”. He was one of the leaders who was arrested and dumped in prison during that struggle. This book in Malayalam described how Periyar suffered in prison cells.
Let me read out the translated version of a few sentences from this particular book:
“E.V.Ramasamy hailed from a very rich family. He the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee had been the Chairman of Erode Municipal Council. He was a noble patriot too. Such an eminent personality was brutally tortured in prison cell. His legs were chained. He wore a loin cloth of knee length. A prisoner’s cap was placed on his head. A piece of wooden frame was hung around his neck. He had to stay among murderers and brigands. A man hailing from an upper caste in Tamil Nadu was sacrificing himself for the liberty of the untouchable people of Kerala. This unheard of nobility inspired and motivated us to join him and strengthen his hands in the struggle. He was a great source of inspiration for us all.”
K.P. Kesava Menon has described as above, the torture endured by Periyar in the Prison cell. After his release from the Prison, Periyar avoided returning to Erode. He came back to Vaikom and continued the struggle absolutely undeterred.
Gandhi had a discussion with the Protesters in the company of the Regent. Only after interacting with Thanthai Periyar he met the Regent of Travancore. She said then that the people would be allowed to use the streets but not to enter the temple. Gandhi conveyed this to Periyar and requested him to put off the temple entry issue for some more time. Periyar gave his consent for this which is placed on record in the history of the struggle.
Gandhi wrote in his ‘Young India’ periodical – “Kurur Neelakandan Namboodiri has been released from prison by the Government of Travancore”. He had also published the news that – “the prohibition order issued by the Government against E.V.Ramasamy Naicker has also been revoked”. Gandhi further added – “the readers of the paper would be pleased to learn about these.” If Gandhi himself had written thus in “Young India”, we can very well understand the extent of the contribution of Periyar for the noble struggle.
It was stated in the Police records – “Mr. Ramasamy Naicker arrived on that day from Erode to take charge of the campaign. The police record also specified thus: “One Ramasamy Naicker of Erode is now leading the movement.” The police records stand as a solid evidence for the truth that the Vaikom Struggle was headed and led by Periyar.
This struggle which went on for about a year and a half ended on 23rd November, 1925. The victory was celebrated on 29th November, 1925 at Vaikom. The event was presided over by Periyar. The womenfolk of Periyar’s family played a prominent role in this celebration. When Periyar visited Vaikom to sustain the struggle, his wife Nagammaiar, his sister Kannamma and relatives Lakshmiammal and Marakkayammal had also arrived at Vaikom along with him. They made the women of Kerala involve in the struggle. When Periyar was arrested and imprisoned on sedition charges six women involved themselves in the struggle under the leadership of Nagammaiar. To mobilise funds for the struggle these women spun on the charka and weaved yarn to sell and manage crowd-funding.Nagammaiar released a statement requesting all other leaders to continue the struggle since Periyar was undergoing imprisonment.
When Nagammaiar walked towards the temple street along with the women of the oppressed in society, she was prohibited by the police from moving further. They stopped the Protesters and asked each woman to name her caste. They prevented only the women of the scheduled castes from entering the restricted streets. Nagammaiar immediately began her protest on the spot condemning the disparity. The report related to this news was flashed in detail next day by the newspapers of Kerala.
When Babasaheb Ambedkar started the “Mahad Agitation” in Maharashtra, for ‘the public tank usage’ rights for all, he was influenced by the Vaikom Struggle of Kerala. He frankly admitted that Vaikom Struggle had motivated him for that struggle of his. After these incidents, even in Tamil Nadu such temple entry agitations took place in large numbers. Eventually a law was enacted specifying that all people can enter temples and that no one should prevent it.Vaikom Struggle had made such a great impact on fighters of social justice.
One hundred years have passed since this magnificent struggle – that has scripted history. In the history of social justice, Vaikom Struggle has been reverberating till this date. I announced in the State Assembly that the Government of Tamil Nadu would be celebrating the Centenary of Vaikom struggle in a grand manner, in order to commemorate the victory achieved by Thanthai Periyar in such historical struggles and also to continue stressing everywhere the dire need of social justice, by spreading and propagating the noble ideal.
On 1st of April 2023, the inauguration of the centenary celebration was held by the Government of Kerala. Upon the invitation of the Government to grace the occasion as a special invitee, I participated in the inaugural event along with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Thiru. Pinarayi Vijayan and delivered my address. A memorial pillar was erected by the Government of Tamil Nadu, at the place where the Vaikom Struggle took place. During the inaugural event we offered floral respect to that pillar of glorious memory.
Thiru. Pazha Athiyaman is one of the prominent and prolific writers in Tamil Nadu. He has authored a book in Tamil under the title “VAIKOM STRUGGLE”. The translated versions of this book in Malayalam and Kannada languages have already been published.
A Periyar Memorial was constructed at Vaikom in Kerala. In order to renovate this memorial in modern style and beautify it further, a sum of Rs.8.14 crore has been allocated by the Government of Tamil Nadu. A magnificent memorial quite large in size is being constructed there at present by our efforts. respectful Minister for the Public Works Department, Thiru. A.V. Velu, and respectful Minister for Information and Publicity Department, Thiru. M.P. Saminathan have been supervising and monitoring the construction of the renovated memorial. Within a period of one month, this work is likely to be completed. I would be visiting Kerala again to inaugurate the memorial.
I had also announced that a Periyar Memorial would be constructed even at the Arukutti Village in Kerala where Thanthai Periyar was imprisoned for the first time during the Vaikom Struggle.Thiru. A.V. Velu, respectful Minister for the Public Works Department has already visited Kerala and returned after inspecting and surveying the place for construction. The construction work would commence shortly after obtaining formal concurrence from the Government of Kerala.
I had announced once that through our official organ ‘TAMIZHARASU’, ‘Vaikom Struggle Centenary Celebration’ special volume would be published by us, compiling articles of various scholars. Such articles pertaining to Vaikom Struggle Centenary have been accordingly compiled, published and launched today. This volume is a very special one in the sense of comprising triple-language articles — Tamil, Malayalam and English. Hence, this special issue is certainly a unique and exceptional one.
Some people have been trying to create a false belief that only the people of Tamil Nadu have been hailing Periyar and eulogising him as ‘Vaikom Warrior’. This special issue would prove that it is not true. You can find in this volume authenticated statements by eminent historians and researchers who stand testimony for Periyar’s contributions to Vaikom Struggle. Excerpts from the historical documents of Kerala find a place in this issue. Erudite scholars had written in English much about the entire struggle highlighting the most vital role of Periyar. Such articles in this special issue would make it clear as crystal that Periyar is hailed as “Vaikom Warrior” by the states and scholars all over the country. This issue has encapsulated all the source materials and has been elegantly compiled.
I felt the need of introducing again perfectly to the people of this country, martyrs and stalwarts like Thanthai Periyar, T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon, George Joseph, Kolappan, Kurur Neelakandan Namboodiri, Mannathu Padmanabhan, Kovai Ayyamuthu, Emperumal Naidu, Gandhiraman and Danumalaya Perumal. The people of the states should absorb their sentiments and thoughts. We have to tell the younger generation of this era all about the ordeals endured by us in the past. People should know about all our bitter experiences during innumerable agitations and protests. The hard times we have all passed by should make an emotional appeal on today’s youth and posterity. This special volume has been published exactly with that noble objective and purpose.
In Indian History, our Dravidian Movement enjoys a truly enviable pride. It started as a reformation movement and acquired later a political dimension. It flourished further and acquired the power to rule by public mandate. As per its policies, laws were enacted and implemented, after reaching a richly deserving status.
This achievement was hailed once thus by Perarignar Anna:
“The birth of a movement, its growth by restless labour, its emergence as a free, frank and plain voice, its noble task of creating awareness in a large society, its fearless efforts to make people awake arise and act – have all taken place and found only in Tamil Nadu. No other place anywhere has ever scripted history by achieving such a tremendous victory.” These words of Arignar Anna resonate even today. He commended the great tasks of Periyar not merely as a history of one individual. Anna hailed Periyar as a legend, as a glorious era and as an unparalleled period in the long tale of humankind. Arignar Anna considered the lifetime of Periyar as an astonishing turning point on the path of our history. Today we recall Anna’s unforgettable tribute with great pride and pleasure during this celebration.
On 29th November, 1925 when the victory of Vaikom Struggle was celebrated in Kerala, Periyar and Nagammaiar were invited to participate by presiding over the event, but Periyar avoided it and just delivered his felicitation speech. He said during his address –
“The Government that denied us once our rights has joined hands with us today and made us participate in this celebration. This is the glory of a genuine Satyagraha. We would not have achieved this victory within such a short period, if we had fought violently; we won by fighting silently.” Today we are celebrating the centenary of such a great victory hailed thus by Periyar on that particular day.
The Government of Travancore once arrested Periyar and all other Warriors of Vaikom Struggle but today the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of Kerala are together celebrating the centenary of that struggle; an irony to be proud of. The Chief Ministers of both the states are jointly celebrating it now, which is an occurrence never ever heard of. This is the true sign of the Vaikom agitation held for legitimate rights. This is indeed a splendid change over a long period of one hundred long years. This celebration was made possible by the unity between the DMK headed Government of Tamil Nadu and the Marxist Community Party Government of Kerala. Since, both the parties have common ideology and are marching on the same wave length of thought, this unique celebration is taking place today.
It is quite apt and most suitable that the Vaikom Centenary Celebration has coincided with the present, proud Dravidian Model governance in Tamil Nadu. It is a simultaneous delight for us both. An ordinary individual Ramasamy grew up as an extraordinary Stalwart Thanthai Periyar largely owing to this field of struggle in Kerala. Today’s younger generation must measure up as promoters of similar social revolutionary spirit. Celebrations such as this would help us constantly keep reminding today’s youth, our glorious past. The youth of the posterity should emerge as great social reformers. Events such as this would pave the way for that kind of a new era and a brighter tomorrow. We need to conduct more of such significant events to seek a new world.
People everywhere should be able to look back, compare and realise what we were a hundred years ago and what we are today. The past should serve us all as a touchstone. The noble philosophy of social justice has played a vital role in this kind of introspection and analysis. We have achieved complete success in the matters of education, employment and societal contributions. We have crossed numerous political hurdles and come along way. We won the trust of people and acquired several spheres to exercise our powers for noble administration. We have also been acquiring economic independence by several judicious ways. But have we achieved absolute social justice? I must say that we have not yet achieved it. We still have to go a long way.
Some people are still not happy about the people of all castes serving as temple priests. Some people are unable to tolerate equality in society. They shrink their faces when we insist on equal treatment for all at all places. We have to fight even against this injustice. Whether it is social reformation or a noble revolution, it is not easy to win. No victory has ever been easily achieved. Eminent Tamil Poet Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram once wrote in his lyric —
“Changes would not happen on its own —an old white lie!”
Unless we strive, no transformation is possible. The weak should themselves fight for their upliftment. The downtrodden must struggle to break the chains binding them. There is a dire need for a three – prong attack on toxic forces — creating awareness through propaganda; highlighting burning problems through non-violent protests; and compelling the unjust to stoop through the strong arms of law. Liberation is not possible for the downtrodden until they truly wish to be liberated.
We have to fight against untouchability, caste based discriminations and all sorts of inequality in society. Gender bias must also be annihilated by our collective struggle. Male chauvinism, male domination and crimes against women should vanish. We should adhere to Marxism, Periyar Thought and Ambedkar’s ideology. All these three powerful weapons are there to nourish progressive outlook and crush all sorts of dictatorial ploys of toxic forces around us. We shall march ahead following in the footprints of all the social reformers, revolutionary thinkers and humanist stalwarts in order to form a new world of equality; an egalitarian world of absolute social justice. Until we achieve the desired target, our journey of struggle must be unstoppable. We shall all take a pledge on this occasion, to act accordingly with an unflinching resolve. Let this Vaikom Centenary Celebration revitalise our energy and inspire us to succeed in achieving all our objectives.
When Thanthai Periyar passed away, Kalaignar wrote in his obituary –
“Periyar has ended his propagatory tours. Let us continue his journey.”
As per the desire of Kalaignar, let us all continue the Self-respect travel of Thanthai Periyar and go on and on, however far our destination may be. Thanks to every one at this memorable event.
