Traffic Ramaswamy

Traffic Ramaswamy
Born K. R. Ramaswamy
1934
Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality India
Other names Sampath, Traffic Ramaswamy

K. R. Ramaswamy (born 1934), referred to by the media as Traffic Ramaswamy, is an Indian public interest litigator and social activist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is a former mill worker, a founder member of Tamil Nadu's Home Guard, and a self-appointed traffic policeman.

Much of his activism relates to regulating traffic in Chennai and filing PIL in court.[1] Initially he started unofficially directing traffic at the city's busy Parrys Corner.[2] The local police were pleased with his efforts and provided him with an official identity card.[2] He acquired the nickname Traffic Ramaswamy after that.[2]

He has brought many public interest lawsuits in the Madras High Court.[2] In 2007, he was attacked by his opponents' lawyers on the steps of the courthouse.[2] This was not the first time, he has been attacked: in 2002, he was assaulted by fish sellers, after he obtained a ban on the use of motorised fish carts, damaging his sight and his family have disowned him.[2] He has also had his office ransacked and papers were stolen.[3] However, helped by donations from friends, he claims he will continue his fight to make Chennai the most livable and lovable city.[2]

His activism have resulted in the demolition of some illegally constructed buildings in Chennai, restrictions on motorised fish carts, de-congestion of major bus routes by banning auto rickshaws from them, and a review of lavish state funding for a feature film (arguing the money could be more properly used for development work).[4] He is now accompanied day and night by an armed police bodyguard.[5]

In October 2013 he filed a PIL against the then-Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa seeking for the removal of name, "Amma" from the Government schemes. Jayalalithaa is called as Amma, which translates to Mother, by her followers.[6]

A biopic titled Traffic Ramasamy on the life of Traffic Ramaswamy was directed by debutant Vicky in which father of Vijay and ace director S. A. Chandrasekhar is essaying the titular role.[7]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.echarcha.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32297
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Chennai Best
  3. ↑ The Hindu
  4. ↑ India eNews
  5. ↑ IBN Live
  6. ↑ http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/amma-not-a-reference-to-jayalalithaa-petition-says-449934
  7. ↑ https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/241217/its-a-big-honour-to-be-a-part-of-the-traffic-ramasamy-biopic-prakash-raj.html


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