Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Quotes

#1. We do not need to explain how the Aryans entered and settled in the Dravidian country, and subjugated and oppressed the Dravidians. Nor do we need to explain how before the Aryans entered the Dravidian country, the Dravidian country had a civilization and arts of the highest rank.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#2. Politics does not concern itself who should rule us. It is about what kind of rule people should have.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#3. To discard what is unwanted, and to retain what is needed, is what reform means.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#4. The word 'Sudra' which means 'Son of prostitute' should not find a place even in the history hereafter. We will not allow it to find a place in the dictionary or encycl

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#5. Religious devotion is for the individual. Character is for all. There is no loss if there is no devotion. Everything is lost if there is no character.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#6. The number of those who do selfless public service and those who serve without expecting any return, should increase. Their sterling qualities should show the way to the people at large. Their life would be a model to show how man should conduct himself in public life.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#7. I am a plain person. I have merely spoken out my mind. I do not say you should believe what I have said because it alone is certain. Accept such ideas as can be accepted, with the help of your reason, after a sound inquiry. Reject the rest.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#8. By helping the poor, we must be able to remove their poverty. But extending help to one here and one there in the form of providing food will not remove poverty.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#9. Village reform is not merely cleaning the roads, constructing schools and worshipping monasteries. It is not mere celebration of festivals.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#10. Capitalists control the machineries. They create difficulties to the workers. Consequently rationalism , which has to lead the way for peaceful life to all, has resulted in causing poverty and worries to the people because of dominating forces

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#11. Foreigners are sending messages to the planets. We are sending rice and cereals to our dead fore-father through the Brahmins. It is a wise deed?

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#12. Many crores of rupees are squandered in this country by way offering gratitude to God and bribing Him to gain greater and greater wealth.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#13. There is no use of simply acquiring titles or amassing wealth if one has no self-respect and scientific knowledge .

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#14. Every one has the right to refute any opinion. But no one has the right to prevent its expression.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#15. Because our ladies mostly attend Kalatshepams, (Religious discourses) they have fallen prey to the superstitions, blind beliefs, and immorality by the false and fictituous propaganda of the Brahmins

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#16. I want to say a word to the Brahmins: In the name of God, religion, sastras you have duped us. We were the ruling people. Stop this life of cheating us from this year. Give room for rationalism and humanism.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#17. Till the end of my life, I shall never canvas for a vote. I shall not even expect a word of praise from any quarter.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#18. It is absurd to quote religion or God or religious doctrines to render the people as lowest castes.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#19. Our thoughts of literary renaissance should always center themselves on the removal of superstition, meanness, indignity and ignorance.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#20. Whomsoever I love and hate, my principle is the same. That is, the educated, the rich and the administrators should not suck the blood of the poor.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#21. Money lending is a horrible profession. If we are to call it otherwise it is lawful plundering.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#22. A male has the right to wander about as he pleases. He has the right to marry any number of girls. This practice has led to prostitution.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#23. You cannot expect any rational thought from a religious man. He is like a rocking log in water .

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#24. The proper task of social reform is to remove poverty from society and to ensure that people do not sell their conscience to make a living.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#25. Marriages should culminate on account of the wishes of the couple. It is their knitting of the hearts that should lead to marriages

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#26. Women in India experience much worse suffering, humiliation and slavery in all spheres than even the untouchables.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#27. Any opposition not based on rationalism or science or experience will one day or other, reveal the fraud, selfishness, lies and conspiracies.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#28. While all men are born as equals, to say that Brahmins alone are the highest and all others are low as Pariah (the Untouchables ) or Panchama is sheer nonsense. It is roguish to say so. It is a big hoax played on us

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#29. The terms 'Husband' and 'Wife' are inappropriate. They are only companions ad partners. One does not slave for other. They both have equal status.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#30. There is no god, there is no god, there is no god at all. He who invented god is a fool. He who propagates god is a scoundrel. He who worships god is a barbarian.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#31. Only education, self-respect and rational qualities will uplift the down-trodden.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#32. There's no god. He who created god was a fool; he who spreads his name is a scoundrel and he who worships him is a barbarian.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#33. People are talking high of Thiruvalluvar. But in practice they do not respect his teachings. They act against him and disregard him.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#34. Even those, who some time ago believed all the stories about God, that is who believed that divine power exists, have now come to be so ashamed of their own belief, hiding their ignorance, they are now struggling hard to prove those stories as scientifically true.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#35. Wisdom lies in thinking. The spear-head of thinking is rationalism

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#36. Man is equal to man. There should not be exploitation. One should help the other. No one should harm anybody. Generally there should be no room for grievance or complaint from anybody. Everyone should live and let others live, with a national spirit.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#37. In the Kural there is a chapter on invocation to God. But there is no place in it for principle of idol worship.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#38. When the purpose of clearly exposing the differences between the Aryan and the Tamil culture, civilization, conduct and creed Thirukkural was written. I am of that firm view.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#39. Without any reason or basis, untouchability has been created as a result of caste. It is foolish to think of abolishing untouchability, in the face of the continuance of caste.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#40. Those who still believe the Brahmins should take a serious not of the changing times and start leading an awakened life.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#41. If god is the root cause for our degradation destroy that god. If it is religion destroy it. If it is Manu Darma, Gita, or any other Mythology (Purana), burn them to ashes. If it is temple, tank, or festival, boycott them. Finally if it is our politics, come forward to declare it openly.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

#42. The duty and the responsibility of a rationalist is to thoughtfully and promptly carry out his actions, in fraternal affection, without considering country, language, God, religion and caste.

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy