There is a claim circulating on social media regarding the famous personality Periyar from Tamil Nadu, stating that he married his own daughter at the age of 70. Users are calling him a lustful person.
A user named Akhilesh Tripathi, an advocate, made a claim on Twitter: ‘Periyar married his own daughter, who was 40 years younger than him when he was 70 years old. Think about it, at the age of 70, this person was so lustful that he didn’t spare even his own daughter. This person can be your idol, not ours. Go ahead and embrace Periyar’s misdeeds, no one will stop you.’
Akhilesh Tripathi retweeted a tweet that contained a statement along with a picture of the actor Vijay. The statement read: “Students should learn about Ambedkar and Periyar. Superstar Vijay, actor.”
पेरियार ने अपने ही बेटी से जो उससे 40 साल छोटी थी विवाह किया था,उस समय पेरियार की उम्र 70 वर्ष था,,सोचो 70 वर्ष की उम्र में ये इंसान इतना हवसी था की अपनी भी बेटी नहीं छोड़ा,,ऐसा इंसान आपका आदर्श हो सकता है हमारा नहीं,,जाओ तुम भी पेरियार की कुकर्मो को अपनाओ कोई नही रोकेगा,😂😂😂 https://t.co/V7R0sQSrFN
— akhilesh tripathi advo (@highcourtallad) June 22, 2023
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According to the Twitter bio, Akhilesh Tripathi is a senior advocate at the Allahabad High Court and a dedicated Sanatani. He is also associated with the campaign for temple and Gurukul protection.
Similarly, Amlesh Singh also made the same claim on Twitter. He retweeted a tweet by Prof. Dilip Mandal, in which he wrote, “Retweet: Those who hold the torch of social justice, those who implemented OBC reservations in NEET’s all-India seats, those who appointed priests of all castes and women in temples, those who prevented EWS implementation in Tamil Nadu, such Stalins are coming to Bihar. #WelcomeStalin.”
पेरियार ने अपने ही बेटी से जो उससे 40 साल छोटी थी विवाह किया था,उस समय पेरियार की उम्र 70 वर्ष थी। सोचो 70 वर्ष की उम्र में ये इंसान इतना हवसी था की अपनी भी बेटी नहीं छोड़ा,ऐसा इंसान तुम्हारा आदर्श हो सकता है हमारा नहीं, जाओ तुम भी पेरियार की कुकर्मों को अपनाओ कोई नही रोकेगा😂😂 https://t.co/4qRjXkpX5R
— Amlesh Singh (@_AmleshSingh) June 22, 2023
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Fact Check
Periyar’s full name is Erode Venkata Ramasamy. He was a social reformer, the founder of the Dravidian movement, and a prominent politician in 20th-century Tamil Nadu.
According to a published report by the website News18, Periyar was born into a wealthy business family in Erode, Tamil Nadu. However, he soon became an atheist. At the age of 19, he married Nagamma at his father’s insistence. Nagamma is described as a friendly and down-to-earth woman. They had a daughter together, but she passed away just five months after her birth. After Nagamma’s death in 1933, Periyar decided not to remarry. He became completely dedicated to his work.
Periyar resigned from the Congress and formed a new and strong party called the Dravidar Kazhagam in 1919. The website “Feminism in India” has published a detailed report in English debunking the myth about Periyar marrying a woman younger than himself.
According to this report, it is mentioned that Kanagasabai, the daughter of Maniammai Justice Party member, was a staunch believer in the principles of self-respect movement. At the age of 20, after her father’s demise, she joined the Dravidar Kazhagam (founded by Periyar). She had no interest in marriage and rejected a life that prescribed societal norms for women. She dedicated herself to the organization and became one of Periyar’s most loyal followers.
According to the report from News18, Periyar stated in his newspaper, Viduthalai, that Maniammai has been under his guidance for the past five years. She is dedicated to the principles of the Dravidian Kazhagam. Therefore, he decided to enter into a marital alliance with Maniammai so that he can transfer the trust and personal property rights to her, and also entrust her with the responsibility of the Chairman of the Dravidian Kazhagam. She will be his political and personal successor.
According to the website Feminism in India, Periyar, a feminist who fought for women’s property rights, challenged the myths of purity and motherhood, advocated for 50% reservation for women, and fought against untouchability. They will remain untouchable and their inheritance will remain unique. In the 21st century, there is no need for any kind of obligation for Periyar’s marriage.
According to media reports, due to Periyar’s decision to marry, the Dravidian Kazhagam (DK) was divided. Annadurai formed a new party called Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and almost all the major leaders and cadres of the DK joined the DMK.
Maniammai came into prominence in 1974 when she participated in nationwide discussions, and in Delhi, she protested against the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She also organized a Ravana Leela event where effigies of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita were burned. She openly opposed the Emergency period.
Conclusion:
This fact-check from DFRAC makes it clear that Periyar did not marry his daughter, but rather married Maniammai , his personal secretary and a member of the Dravidian Kazhagam. The purpose of the marriage was to transfer the rights to the trust and personal property and hand over the responsibility of the Chairman of the Dravidian Kazhagam. Therefore, the vulgar allegation or claim made by Akhilesh Tripathi Advocate, and other social media users is incorrect.
