S. Ramadoss
S Ramadoss | |
|---|---|
Founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi  | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 July 1939 Keezhsiviri, Villupuram, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Spouse | Saraswathi |
| Children | Anbumani Ramadoss |
| Residence(s) | Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Alma mater | Madras Medical College[1][2] |
| Occupation | politician |
S. Ramadoss is the founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an Indian Political party.[3]
Vanniyar Reservation Protest
In 1987, Ramadoss staged road blockade by cutting trees and demanded 20% reservation in TN government jobs for Vanniyar Communities. 21 people died during that agitation. Ramadoss-led protesters set arson on settlements of Harijans in then district South Arcot to draw the attention of the unyielding government.[4]
Controversy
Threatening journalists
S Ramadoss is infamous for his usage of unparliamentary language in press meets and public meetings. S Ramadoss on June 2019 stoked a controversy, saying that he would kill journalists who question him about hundreds of trees cut down by his party workers during his arrest by the J Jayalalithaa government. He said, "if we protest again we will not cut trees but hack down those who ask these questions, and throw their mangled bodies across the road."[5] He also called the journalists "dogs" and "Kammanati pasanga", a degrogatory phrase used for 'son of widow'.[6][7]
Anti-Dalit campaign
Ramadoss is notorious for his anti-Dalit rhetoric. On December 2012, Ramadoss initiated a controversial campaign to prevent Dalit men from marrying non-Dalit women especially those women who belong to his own Vanniyar community.[8] In Tamil Nadu, it has caused a stir and many political parties wanted legal action against Ramadoss. Ramadoss in an event in 2010, said, "Dalit men sporting jeans, t-shirts and fancy glasses lure our women into marriages that don't work." M. Karunanidhi, asked the government of the state to "act against those stirring up a caste passion" and said, It's dangerous like stepping into fire. He started this campaign and provoked 2012 Dharmapuri violence, where hundreds of Dalit houses were charred by arson set by a group of vandals.[9][10][11] Ramadoss also strongly campaigned for raising women's legal age of marriage to 21 as he believes upper caste women in their late teenage are the easy target for Dalit men.[12] Ramadoss convened a meeting with leaders representing intermediate castes to crusade against SC/ST Act,a law which criminalizes caste discrimination, alleging that Dalits misuse the law and register false cases to settle personal scores.[13]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Paalam | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 1995 | Thondan | Dr. Sanjeevi Raman | |
| 2006 | Ilakkanam | Himself | Cameo appearance |
Notes
- ^ "Ramadoss, MMC '60 class recall medico days". Meera Vankipuram. The Times of India. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Quiet Ramadoss joining politics was big surprise: College alumni". Deccan Chronicle. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "From a sectarian leader, Ramadoss has come a long way". Rediff.com. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19871015-agitation-by-backward-vanniyar-community-rocks-tamil-nadu-799377-1987-10-15
- ^ "'Will cut journalists who suggest I'm a tree-cutter': S Ramadoss". The Federal. 24 June 2019.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu: Viral video shows Ramadoss threatening to hack journalists". The Week. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- ^ Staff Reporter (23 June 2019). "Ramadoss threatens journalist who questioned him on tree felling". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X.
- ^ https://www.thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/on-the-heels-of-another-murder-pmk-brings-up-fake-love-again/amp/
- ^ "PMK chief's anti-Dalit campaign sparks outrage". NDTV.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Kolappan, B. (2 December 2012). "Ramadoss consolidates intermediate caste groups against Dalits". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Ravishankar, Sandhya. "Who's who in Tamil Nadu elections: S Ramadoss". Scroll.in. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ 'Marriage age for women should be made 21' | Chennai News - Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Marriage-age-for-women-should-be-made-21/articleshow/53865730.cms
- ^ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Ramadoss-consolidates-intermediate-caste-groups-against-Dalits/article12432099.ece/amp/
References
- Bhūẏām̐, Dāśarathi (2007). Role of Regional Political Parties in India. ISBN 9788183241915.
- Wyatt, Andrew (2009). Party System Change in South India: Political Entrepreneurs, Patterns and Processes. Routledge. ISBN 9780203862209.