I am happy to have obtained this opportunity to inaugurate the Rationalists’ Association in this town today.
The ideas I express and the opinions I hold — you are obliged only to listen to them. You are not obliged to believe them just as they are. If everything that is heard must be believed, there have been far more ideas expressed in this country than mine! Therefore, I request you not to believe anything blindly, but to listen and think with reason.
Only Humans Possess Rationality
If we call it a Rationalists’ Association, it simply means an Association of Human Beings.
Among all the crores of living beings in the world, only humans possess rational thinking. No other living being has this sixth sense called reason. If that is so, why should we start a Rationalists’ Association?
Are all those who did not attend this meeting devoid of reason? Are all those who do not join the Rationalists’ Association irrational? We must think about this.
Once, I invited Minister Kumarasamy Reddiar to a Self-Respect Conference. He attended and spoke. He asked, “If this is called a Self-Respect Conference, does that mean others have no self-respect?”
Later, when I spoke, I asked him, “What is your caste?” He said, “Reddiar.” I asked him: “Where do you stand when you go to a temple? Where do you sit when you go to a hotel? What is the reason for that? Is it not because you are considered a Shudra?”
He laughed awkwardly. The audience applauded loudly.
Why Propagate Rationalism and Self- Respect?
I am not saying this for amusement. Even today, what is our condition? Not only according to religious scriptures, but even according to the present Indian Constitution, we are Shudras. Whoever is not a Christian or a Muslim — except the Brahmin — is considered a Shudra, including rationalists and atheists.
To remedy this situation, I have been intensely working for 50 years in this country, propagating rationalism and self-respect.
Our slogan is:
“There is no God — no God at all! He who invented God is a fool; he who propagates God is a rogue; he who worships God is a barbarian.”
Rationalists in other countries have discovered new inventions and technologies. Even means for reproduction without physical union have been created. Medicines have been discovered for severe diseases. All these are achievements made through the use of rational thinking.
In 1952, our average life expectancy was 29 years. Today (in 1973) it is 52. If not for our country’s traditional physicians, it would even reach 75. Whatever merit our native doctors claim, it was mostly killing us. Only after Western medicine developed here did our lifespan increase. Is there anything more disgraceful than this?
Remember what I say today: by the year 2000, the average lifespan of Indians will be 75, and that of Westerners 110. I may not be there then, but you will experience it.
Many years ago, I had cancer on my tongue. The scar still remains. Doctors Rathina Velu Subramaniam and Dr. Roy treated me. Dr. Roy gave electric treatment and saved my life. Such is the growth of human rationality in science.
But as far as our country is concerned, my worry is that our rationality must be used to protect our dignity. People in other countries may build houses even on the moon. Food habits may change. But here, our people must first develop the feeling of being rational human beings. Is it not shameful that even today a small minority calls themselves the “higher people” and labels the rest as inferior?
“In a country ruled by people of another religion, could one strike at their god and win votes? Yet here, we symbolically struck Rama and won votes. Is that a small matter? People have developed the consciousness to question even gods”
Fear of Losing Votes
Is this suffering mine alone? Since 1925 I have struggled for this cause. Which politician has come forward to struggle for it? Politicians fear associating with me because they fear losing votes! Despite all my efforts, I have not fully enjoyed the fruits. Through our movement, we have shattered Brahmin domination in many fields — in education and employment. We achieved this through peaceful revolution.
We did not kill a Brahmin; we did not burn their houses; we committed no violence. We established a ministry in Tamil Nadu without a single Brahmin minister. Is that not victory enough? And what kind of rule was it? A rule that even symbolically struck at Lord Rama and won!
In a country ruled by people of another religion, could one strike at their god and win votes? Yet here, we symbolically struck Rama and won votes. Is that a small matter? People have developed the consciousness to question even gods.
Why Has This Not Been Applied?
Human beings have progressed in every field. But why has the humiliation of being labeled Shudras not disappeared? Have we no self-respect? No feeling? No intelligence?
No — humans possess these naturally. Then why have we not used them?
In every other matter, humans use rational thinking. But in matters of God and religion, they are told not to use reason. If they do, they may be killed. What more proof is needed?
In the Ramayana, it is said that if someone argues about God or religion using reason, he should be killed. That mentality continues even today.
Why Was Gandhi Assassinated?
Gandhi was killed for this very reason. Untouchability is in the scriptures. When Gandhi tried to interfere with it, he was eliminated according to that scriptural mentality. Even the Constitution says that certain “basic features” cannot be amended. Though it says untouchability should be abolished, the word is placed within inverted commas, giving it a specific legal meaning.
On December 8 and 9, I am going to convene a great conference in Chennai. I will propose resolutions to change our degraded status under the law. If change does not happen, we must struggle. If we struggle, we will be severely punished — up to seven years’ imprisonment. We must be prepared. You must be ready to go to jail.
They may try everything to suppress us. We must be ready. If someone declares he is not a Hindu, he must be liberated from that imposed humiliation. Let us see what this government does then.
If this government falls, the next day we can arrange to abolish our humiliation. We must be prepared.
The Chennai Conference
The upcoming Chennai Conference is preparatory for this. Men and women must attend in greater numbers than ever before. Support must come in every possible way. Those with financial means should contribute generously. Those ready for imprisonment must come forward.
First, I propose we boycott North Indian shops and ask: what business do they have here? If they can drive our people away in Bombay, why can’t we do the same here?
Those seeking office may leave. Others must strive to end our humiliation. It is not enough that we obtain positions or become millionaires. What we need today is the restoration of our dignity and the end of our degradation.
What is Your Future?
How long will I be here? One day I will be gone. Then what is your fate? Who will sit in my place? Even if someone wishes to, will you respect him the same way?
Earning the respect of the people is no small matter. It requires immense effort. Therefore, comrades! If something happens to me, our condition may become shameful again. So you must boldly engage in the task of removing our humiliation.
Give me your names in a list. I will use each of you in whatever way possible. Do not struggle for me or for my sake. Struggle for yourselves — for your children and for future generations.
(Speech delivered by Thanthai Periyar on 10.11.1973 at Jeyankondam. Published in “Viduthalai” on 12.11.1973.)
