K.VEERAMANI AWARD FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE’-2015 on Hon’ble NITISH KUMAR, CHIEF MINISTER, BIHAR

 2016, may

May092016

The Award function was arranged a grand manner in Patna, Bihar at Vidhan Parishad (State Legislative Council) Annex Hall on 9th April 2016. Thiru Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Hon’ble speaker of Bihar Legislative Assembly presided over the function. After the introductory address, Dr.Lakshman Tamil, Director, Periyar International Conferred ‘K.Veeramani Award for Social Justice’ on Hon’ble Nitish Kumar. The honor was coupled with a cash award of Rs. 1,00,000/- The Chief Guest, Dr.K.Veeramani in whose name the Award is instituted delivered special address. Felicitation addresses were delivered by Thiru.Awadesh Narain Singh, Hon’ble Chairman, Bihar Legislative Council, Thiru.K.C.Tyagi M.P., and Secretary General of Janata Dal (United), Com.D.Raja, M.P., National Secretary of Communist Party of India, Thiru.V.Hanumantha Rao M.P., Convenor, OBC MPs’ Forum, in absentia, Dr.Mohammed Ayyub, M.L.A, President Peace Party of India and Thiru.Sanjay Kumar Singh MLC and Chief Whip – JD(U), Legislative Council. Hon’ble Nitish Kumar expressed thanks in his speech, Thiru.Ravindra Ram, representing Award Committee (Patna) welcomed all. Thiru.G.Karunanidhi, General Secretary, AIOBC compered the event and Thiru.V.Kumaresan, Secretary-External Relations, Dravidar Kazhagam proposed vote of thanks. MLAs, MLCs and eminent persons from different fields in public life attended the function in large numbers.

The Excerpts of the Speeches of the Dignitaries :

Dr. Lakshman Tamil, Director, Periyar International :

This award was instituted by the followers of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, who are living all over the world, to honour great men and women and institutions who contributed to the cause of social justice in the world.  Periyar is the boldest and most outspoken, champion of social justice of the last century. He continues to remain as one of the greatest icons of social justice movement in India.

Dr. K. Veeramani, President of Dravidar Kalagham is the torch bearer of Periyar’s rationalist ideals. Dr. Veeramani is now well over 80 years of age, dedicating his entire life to the cause of social justice and spreading the ideals of Periyar. He is a social leader of tall order. He deserves our gratitude and praise and so is this Award, named after him.
In the history of mankind there has never been so a tough task as to break social hierarchy of the caste system. The caste system has been unbreakable for the last three thousand years, from the days of Buddha to the days of Ambedkar and Periyar and still today it is alive.

Caste system is the greatest impediment for the growth and prosperity of India. It is an enemy within. In the last three thousand years all the wealth created in India has gone to enrich a few percentage of the population because of the caste system. It is the greatest scandal in the history of mankind. It is time this changes. Mr.Nitish Kumar should spearhead this change.

Mr. Nitish Kumar must be applauded for his commitment to social justice; his commitment to share equitably the nation’s wealth and opportunities among various sections of the society. He should be applauded for his commitment to create a safe, fair and equal opportunity for our daughters. For all these good reasons, The Periyar International, USA is proud to present to the Honorable  Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, the 2015 K. Veeramani Award for Social Justice.

Dr. K Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam :

We are carrying the torch of Periyar.  Periyar and Babasaheb Ambedkar are both sides of the same coin. What Phule had taught, what Chatrapathi Sahu had done, what Narayana Guru was doing, what the other people who were fighting for social justice, now and have been challenged very recently. The Bihar election held for the Assembly, in our perception, was not a political fight. It was more than a political fight. It was a social fight and you  (Hon’ble Nitish Kumar) have come out with laurels and flying colours. We are happy to be associated with you, on this grand occasion.

Honourable Nitish ji, you are translating what Periyar had done even in 1929. Our leader, this august audience will be interested to know, Periyar, had passed a resolution in the First Self-Respect Conference of Madras Province at Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu in 1929 when most of us were not even born. Very bold and revolutionary resolutions were passed in that conference. It was for Women Empowerment. Through the implementation of Liquor Prohibition, you have empowered many women in their families.

Throughout India, Dravidar Kazhagam convened 44 conferences and 16 demonstrations and even in the capital of New Delhi to enforce the implementation of Mandal Commission recommendation. All these things bore fruit and at last in 1992, Hon’ble V.P.Singh, as Prime Minister was able to give, and only one part, the 27 per cent employment reservation for other backward classes in Central Government Services.  Today Tamil Nadu holds 69 per cent reservation. In Tamil Nadu, nobody could dare to touch, whatever be the government, the 69 per cent reservation, because Social Justice is a live wire; no government will dare to touch in Tamil Nadu. The same thing should be there throughout India. In the highest judiciary not even one scheduled caste judge is there. And only two OBC Judges are there. That is the sorry, pathetic, pitiable situation. The oppressive forces which are against the dispensation of 27 per cent reservation, want to convert all the public sector services into private sector; thereby not only do they touch the economic aspect, they want to deny Social Justice too because there is no reservation in the private sector. That’s why we started a movement for the introduction of reservation system in private sector from Tamil Nadu and now it has caught up everywhere.

I am very happy to see a transformed Bihar. At the time of Assembly elections in Bihar, certain political forces levelled charges that only Jungle Raj prevailed in Bihar. And when we travelled yesterday upto Buddha Gaya through villages, I was searching for jungle raj. Where was the jungle raj? I couldn’t see any jungle, only Raj, I could see. That is your achievement.  Greatest achievement Sir.  Making an electoral promise on prohibition, you have implemented it meticulously.  Tamil Nadu has welcomed it.

I congratulate you and once again I wish that you get many more awards. But whatever may be the awards, people have given you a very good award by your electoral victory and you have converted your electoral promises into actions that will go on. Our Best Wishes!

Hon’ble Thiru.Nitish Kumar :

I consider ‘K.Veeramani Award for Social Justice’ conferred on me as a great honour. I thank Periyar International and Dr.K.Veeramani, Chancellor of Periyar Maniammai University for the Award conferment.

I invite Dr.K.Veeramani to Bihar, frequently, carrying on with him the progressive ideals of Periyar. These progressive ideas must reach the people of Bihar.
Self-Respect Movement, the fore runner organization of Dravidar Kazhagam(DK) was founded in 1925. RSS was also founded in the same year. But the two organizations are opposing to each other ideologically. As to the extent of non compromise of RSS in respect of religious matters DK is very much committed to the cause of Social Justice. At present, Dr.K.Veeramani is leading the rationalist movement, founded by Periyar in a marvelous manner.

Dr.K.Veeramani has shared many thoughts on social justice. In Tamil Nadu, the total reservation meant for SCs/STs, MBCs and BCs remains at 69 per cent which is unique. This enhanced, of course inadequate, reservation must be made available in all the States and to all the oppressed people.

Caste system is a pernicious menace in the society and its atrocities have entered into Central University of Hyderabad, resulting in the suicide of Rohit Vemula. Reservation must be made effectively to all who are entitled to it and even if a socially oppressed person gets converted to other religion. The caste menace and its stigma continue, even after conversion. Full reservation rights must be extended to all the oppressed and religion converted people.

Besides, as pointed out by Dr.K.Veeramani, in the globalised environment the social justice must be extended to private sector, where reservation benefits have not become operative.

The prohibition laws enacted in 1915 is not equipped for the effective Prohibition Policy. So we have amended and implemented the new prohibition rules for the welfare and betterment of people especially, women folks. When anything, that is required for the welfare of the people can be made by the elected Government, why cannot reservation policy  be amended and made applicable to private sector also?

The policy of Bihar Government is always welfare of its people along with the dispensation of Social Justice.

In all the issues related to Social Justice at national level, we will also involve ourselves for the joint functioning and fighting for the cause.

PATH BREAKIING CONFRERENCE OF DRAVIDAR KAZHAGAM on SOCIAL LIBERATION and PROGRESS

 2016, may

May092016

Proper journey of The Rationalist -Self Respect Movement, demanding due rights through comprhensive coverage of resolutions, passed at the historic occasion

nietzsche

In the history of social revolution of India, more so of Tamil Nadu, the contributions of the Self-Respect Movement, the fore-runner organization of Dravidar Kazhagam, founded by Periyar E.V.Ramasamy (1873-1979) would occupy much of its space both directly and indirectly. The First State Conference of Self-Respect Movement of Madras Presidency held at Chengalpattu in 1929 and the resolutions it passed had changed the direction of the social history of this land  more meaningfully.  Despite, the translation of much of the resolutions, passed at the 1929 conference in various stages by the political rulers of this land during the pre as well as post independent periods, still there are many social areas wherein the impacts of the Conference resolutions have to reach qualitatively and quantitatively to adequate extent. Any one who analyses the social history of India cannot ignore the proceedings of the Conference held in 1929.

From then onwards, the Social Revolutionary Movement of Periyar and its latest organization, Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) (1944) has conducted many Conferences under the ideological heritage of  the 1929 Conference. All these Conferences have focused to the attention of the public and the political rulers of the State and the Centre and have given directions original as well as corrective to decide the destiny of the population of the land. Such Conferences of DK have stimulated  a lot of turbulations to the rulers who remained as strong impediments, restraining the social and cultural progress and prosperity of the country, There are instances to quote the significance of the emphasis, realized by the political rulers of the land after meeting political debacles owing to the non heeding of the appeals, made through such conferences. The analytical research of the various resolutions passed at DK’s Conference would become a document of social conditions prevailing in this land, infected with the social malady and the consequential remedy provided to improve the conditions.

With such historical background of organizing conferences, DK convened its latest State Conference for 2 days on 19th and 20th March 2016 at Periyar World situated at Siruganur, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The theme of the Conference was oriented on two vital agenda of the social liberation and progress of the country. The first day Conference was on the theme, Eradication of Caste-Untouchability and the second day’s was on Social Justice.

First Day Conference Theme
‘Eradication of Caste – Untouchability’

The first day Conference commenced with DK’s flag hosting by Dr.Pirainuthal Selvi, Treasurer, DK amidst the thousands of the black shirt cadres. A photo exhibition, depicting the history of Justice Party and Self-Respect Movement under the single banner of Dravidian Movement and the achievements made by it was organised. The Exhibition was inaugurated by Justice P.R.Gokulakrishnan, former Chief Justice of High Court of Gujarat. Self Respectful V.Anburaj, General Secretary welcomed all the dignitaries, the cadres and the public. The first day Conference was inaugurated by Self – Respectful S.Arivukkarasu, Presidium Chairman, DK. Poet Kali.Poonkundran, Vice – President presided over the proceedings.

Unveiling the Portraits of Stalwarts of Dravidian Movement

The portraits of the pioneer as well as the prominent stalwarts of Dravidian Movement were unveiled. The portraits of Thanthai Periyar was unveiled by Self-Respectful R.Athiaman (President, Federation of Adhi Tamils), Annai Nagammaiar – Maniammaiar’s by Self-Respectful Pothanur K.Shanmugam (President, The Periyar Self Respect Propaganda Institution), Arignar Anna by Thiru K.N.Nehru (District Secretary, DMK and Former Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu) and the Leading Stalwarts by Self Respectful Rajagiri G.Thangarasu (Member, Chief Executive Council, DK)

The Chief Guest, Prof. Dr.Ulrike Niklas, Periyar International – Germany delivered the special address.

In the noon session seminar on the title, ‘Let us Repudiate Caste and Religious Fanaticism! Let the Flag of Social Justice Fly High’ with the participation of university students’ leaders was held.

Self-Respectful Prince Ennares Periyar, Secretary, State Students’ Wing, DK presided over the seminar. Thiru Ananda Krishnaraj (Research Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi) Thiru.K.Ramesh (Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, IIT-M, Chennai), Thiru.K.Harisankar Nachimuthu (President, Students’ Union, Pune) Selvi.T.Agnes Amala (Research Scholar, Central University of Hyderabad, Telangana), Thiru G.Prasad (Co-ordinator, Students’ Science Forum,  Andhra-Telangana) and Thiru.Siva Sankar – Archaka Trainee  of Agamas participated in the seminar and addressed.

In the afternoon ‘Resolutions Passing’ was held. Self Respectful V.Kumaresan, Secretary-External Relations, DK presided over the session.

Self Respectful Manjai Vasanthan, State Secretary, Periyar Rationalist Cultural – Literary Wing welcomed. 18 resolutions proposed and seconded by the functionaries of DK and its wings were passed unanimously.

In the evening, seminar on ‘Eradication of Caste – Untouchability’ was presided over by Dr.Durai Chandrasekaran, General Secretary DK, Self Respectful Thanjai R.Jayakumar, General Secretary welcomed. The prominent speakers and functionaries spoke at the seminar: Advocate S.Kumaradevan on ‘Protection to Caste in Indian Constitution’, Dr.K.Anbalagan on ‘Right of Appointment of Archakas of all Castes’, Self Respectful Rama Anbalagan on ‘The imprint of DK on Eradication of Caste’,  Advocate Poovai, Pulikesi on ‘Brahminical hegemony – BJP & Sangh Parivar’ and Self Respectful Thanjai R.Periyar Selvan on ‘Caste Politics’.

The valedictory session was addressed by Saivathiru M.P.Sathyavel Muruganar, who had impleaded himself in the appeal case on the appointment of archakas  of all castes (in favour of the duly trained archakas) filed at Supreme Court of India. Thiru.V.V.Swaminathan, Former Minister of Hindu Religious and Charity Endowments, Government of Tamil Nadu) spoke for the appointment of duly trained archakas of all castes.

The valedictory address of the first day Conference was delivered by Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam elaborately, covering the contents of the resolutions, passed which do bear direct relevance to the societal needs.

The Conference proceedings were intermittent with cultural programmes like dance, drama, song singing by the various teams depicting the progressive ideology of DK.

Second Day Conference Theme
‘Social Justice’

The Conference on ‘Social Justice’ was presided over by Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani. The Conference was inaugurated by Prof.K.M.Kader Mohaideen, President, Indian Union Muslim League, Tamil Nadu.

The portraits of the Revolutionary Ambedkar was unveiled by Justice D.Hariparanthaman, former Judge of High Court of Madras, the portraits of Mahatma Jotiba Phule – Savitribai Phule by Prof. Dr.P.Kalimuthu, Education Philanthropist Kamaraj by Bishop Rev. Ezra Sargunam.

The Chief Guest was the fifth generation grand daughter of Mahatma Jotiba Phule, Ms.Neetatai Hole Phule (President, Mahatma Phule Social Institute, Pune) and she addressed.

Next was the seminar on ‘Let us achieve Social Justice’. Journalist Punitha Pandian (Editor, Dalit Murasu), Writer V.Mathimaran, Self Respectful Sankar (President, Nirangal – an organization of transgenders), Dr.T.M.N.Deepak (President, December 3 Movement), Self-Respectful S.Kumana Rajan (Chief Editor, Tamil Lemuria, Mumbai) and Nagai

Jeeva addressed at the seminar.
Session on ‘Resolutions-Passing’ was presided over by Advocate A.Arulmozhi, Propaganda Secretary, DK. 25 resolutions covering the current aspect of Social Justice and its dispensation in future were proposed and seconded by the functionaries and cadres of DK.

In the valedictory session 3 Tamil books were released on Periyar’s Thoughts, Speeches of Dr.K.Veeramani, Achievements of Justice Party and one in English ‘Periyar and Ambedkar’.

The valedictory session was addressed by the popular leaders of political and public eminence. Thiru V.Hanumantha Rao, M.P., Convenor, OBC MPs’ Forum, Thiru Gopanna, Press Relations Functionary, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, Prof.Suba.Veerapandian, General Secretary, Federation of Dravidian Tamils, and Thiru.Pazha.Karuppiah, writer and politician addressed.

Message of Greetings

The elderly statesman  of the country and President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Kalaignar Dr.M.Karunanidhi, Respectful Leader Thiru. Rahul Gandhi, Vice President, Indian National Congress, Hon’ble Thiru. Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, Respectful Thiru. Sharad Yadav M.P.,  President, National President , Janata Dal (United) Party, Respectful  Thiru.K.C.Tyagi M.P., Secretary General, Janata Dal (United Party) sent their Message of Greetings to the State Conference of DK and the messages were read at the conference.

The special address of Social Justice Conference was delivered by Thalapathi M.K.Stalin, Tresurer, DMK.

Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani, who leads the Periyar Movement delivered elaborate address covering all the aspects of Social Justice towards which the entire mission has to march ahead.

The two day Conference was attended by thousands of blackshirt cadres as families from the entire parts Tamil Nadu and other States. The grandeur of the DK’s Conference proved its mettle, reminding its core role and responsibility for the social liberation and progress of the toiling population who were enslaved for so many centuries in the name of god and religion. The Conference, became historic in the annals of social revolution of the country. `