CM Stalin to announce welfare schemes on Periyar’s birthday, Stalin calls for annual events, awards, meetings in memory of Periyar

Periyar, a social reformer, was known for his rationalist thoughts against any form of casteism, untouchability and gender discrimination. His thoughts continue to inspire people still, Stalin said. Tamil Nadu, which has witnessed many developments, became the beacon of social justice, thanks to him, he said. Periyar was not only a great reformer of Tamil Nadu, but he is for the entire nation. “Periyar’s rationalist thoughts need to be taken to generations and generations. From now onwards, the birthday of Periyar will be celebrated as Social Justice Day. All the welfare schemes of the government will be announced only on September 17. Likewise, the state government will confer the Anna Award to the scholars who have done research on Periyar’s thoughts every year.” He also announced that he would be announcing the welfare schemes only on September 17 from now on. “For the last 125 years, from the time of Mahatma Gandhi to every leader, they have all contributed to social justice. Yet, they have not been able to end the casteism. Yet, they have not been able to get rid of the religion that created this casteism. However, Periyar, single-handedly, without the support of any party or any other leader, strongly believed in the creation of a casteless society and has not taken a back seat at any point in time. He has been a torchbearer to the people of Tamil Nadu and the whole nation, in the fight for social justice,” Stalin said. Stalin recalled that Nehru, former Prime Minister of India, wanted Periyar to join the Congress party. But, Periyar declined the invitation saying that if he joins the Congress, he would have to change the principles and policies that he had been fighting for. “He did not want power, wealth or a position. He was a man who wanted to make the society a better place. He did not have any personal enemies, yet he attracted enmity from all quarters for his radical thoughts. His ideas were attacked, his character was assassinated, he was mocked, yet he never got distracted. He is the one who has endeavored to make the society a better place for centuries to come. He believed that the development of man should be equal to the development of a society,” he said. Stalin said that the government would launch special projects, and scholarships for students. He asked people to not indulge in violating lockdown norms. “It is very sad to see a lot of people walking on the streets without a mask. I am seeing it from wherever I am taking the aerial view of the State from the helicopter. I am disappointed and I am shocked that people are not taking care to prevent this disease. Even after seeing what is happening in the world, the people are not keeping themselves safe,” he said. Chennai has become the corona capital of India and has seen the highest number of cases, he said. “We have asked the police to keep an eye on the people. It is not because we want to keep you under surveillance. But, it is unfair not to keep a watch on people who are not taking care to prevent the disease. The police have been taking the people who are going out without masks to the police stations and making them sign a declaration. I want to ask you why you should be allowed to go without a mask. If you do not wear a mask, you are not just risking your life, you are risking the lives of your family, your relatives, your neighbors, your friends,” Stalin said. He warned that if people continued to violate the lockdown norms, the government would be forced to act against them. “This disease has not spread because of the government. It has been spreading from human beings. So, you should also take responsibility to prevent it. We are doing our job. You do your job. You wear a mask. I am not asking you to wear a suit. I am not asking you to wear gloves. If you wear a mask, the virus cannot spread. Wear masks and let’s get rid of the corona,” he said. By R. Sujatha @sujatharwt