EV Ramasamy gets 3 years imprisonment and Rs2,000 as fine in 1938

I saw a magazine ‘Dravida Naadu’ issued from the then state headquarters Kancheepuram, dated 29-09-1946. I have translated the news, which is in Tamil into English.

It says about ‘Inba Dravidame En Latchiyam’ (My aim is to achieve happy Dravida Naadu)

I am requesting you My Lord to put an end to the inquiry drama by pronouncing the maximum punishment, which will be convincing for us and for all the backward class people. I am ready to pay all my good deeds to achieve my goal.

It is not the voice of the youth. It is the voice of an elderly man. That is why? thousands of youngsters have gathered and raised their voices.

One day at 3.30pm. The magistrate sticks on his seat and forgets even to take food. Thousands of Tamil families are eagerly waiting inside and outside the court hall to hear the judgment. One side – Achariyar and the other side – Periyar E V Ramasamy. “Hindi infiltration stares at me and Virgin Tamil looks passionately opposite to it. They (Congress) are on the power to pronounce the verdict, but I am surviving the life to save Tamil.

Congress party is in power and they have planned to send the party leader (EVR) to prison. Periyar speaks in the language of freedom fighters, “I will pay the maximum for the rights of a common man. “Take the law, give punishment, complete the drama. What is the age?

The magistrate is going to deliver the judgment. What will be the punishment for the leader (EVR). Lion (EVR) is in the cage. Tamil people are expecting the judgment. Achariyar in the power seat, magistrate speaks.

“Two years,” magistrate said.

Two years imprisonment for my leader (EVR)? For opposing Hindi? People think whether the rulers (Congress) have their hearts made of iron. Tamil people are shocked. To save the sweetness of Tamil, the judgment is extreme. Magistrate further reads the judgment, which make the people to stand still.

“Two years imprisonment and Rs2,000 fine amount. If he fails to pay the fine amount, one more year imprisonment,” magistrate said.

The court has pronounced three years imprisonment to EVR at 3.25 pm on December 6, 1938 not for hurling bomb. For preserving the Tamil and raising voice against the infiltration of Hindi in south India.

EV Ramasamy looks as if a bold warrior and sees the thousands of Tamil people gathered in the court premises. He sees the teary-eyed people around him. He adjusts his long towel wrapped around him. He looks patiently and speaks at the crowd with a smile at his face.

“I am an accused now.” People see him the Tamil leader as an accused convicted by the court. This is not the first time, it is eighth. People shed the tears for the ‘convicted accused’. Elderly people cry like babies.