A shoe. Thrown at the Ramasamy Statue. That’s how many people first heard of this incident. It happened on Anna Salai in Chennai. A man on a motorcycle. He hurled his shoe at the statue of E V Ramasamy. Popularly known as Periyar.
The Ramasamy Statue stands as a powerful symbol. It represents the Dravidian movement. A movement for social justice. For the upliftment of the backward and oppressed classes. Periyar. A social reformer. A rationalist. A figure who fought for an egalitarian society. His statue is a reminder of his legacy. His fight for equality.
The incident involving the thrown shoe wasn’t an isolated event. Other statues of Periyar were also vandalized. One in Dharapuram. Footwear was placed on the head. There were scratches. Damage to his spectacles. These attacks occurred on Periyar’s birth anniversary. A day of celebration. A day turned sour.
The six-foot bronze statue in Chennai. Installed by the Dravidar Kazhagam. Inaugurated in 2008 by M K Stalin. It has since become a focal point. A site for paying tributes. A place where followers gather. The shoe-throwing incident sparked outrage. Political parties condemned it. The man who threw the shoe. Jagadeesan. He was arrested.
This Ramasamy Statue is more than just bronze and stone. It’s a living testament. To Periyar’s fight. His vision for a better society. The vandalism. A sad reminder of the ongoing battles for equality. Yet the statue stands tall. A beacon of hope. A symbol of resilience. A testament to the enduring legacy of Periyar. The Ramasamy Statue. A powerful symbol in Chennai’s rich history.