The Veeramani Social Justice Award -
Commendation by Prof. Paul Kurtz
[ The Veeramani Award for Social Justice was conferred on Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi by Prof. Paul Kurtz on behalf of Periyar International, Chicago, USA, at the State Conference of Rationalists’ Forum at Periyar Thidal on 7 September, 2008]
It is a great honor and Privilege to be invited to confer the “Veeramani Social Justice Award” to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, the Honorable Kalaignar Karunanidhi.
This Award was initiated by “Periyar International, USA”, an organization consisting of Tamils in America, who were profoundly influenced by Periyar E.V. Ramasami’s ideals, which enabled them to cultivate Self-Respect and establish a new life in America.
I am myself a Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York and am impressed that Periyar’s reputation is growing in various parts of the world because of his significant moral guidance. Self Respect, he insisted, is essential if people who are mistreated are to lift themsevers up with a sense of personal worth and dignity; it encourages self-reliance.
The Recipient of the Award this year - the 10th thus far so honoured - has distinguished himself because of his tireless contributions - I should say battles - for the principles of Social Justice and Human Rights.
The Veeramani award is bestowed on distinguished men and women in recognition of their life-time devotion and dedication to social justice.
The Recipient of the Award this year - the 10th thus far so honoured - has distinguished himself because of his tireless contributions - I should say battles - for the principles of Social Justice and Human Rights. The Honorable Chief Minister has devoted himself to the poor, the downtrodden and oppressed. Coming from the lower caste himself, he experienced directly the intolerable discrimination and indignities suffered by the so-called backward castes in India; and he resolved to do something about it. As a young lad he was castigated, indeed beaten, by those who opposed his conviction that all human beings should be treated equally.
He devoted his enormous energies throughout his lifetime to the amelioration of his fellow country men and women; and these commitments of his were reinforced often he was repeatedly re-elected to public office. Mr.Karunanidhi used his resourceful talents as an orator, film song writer, editor, poet and author of many works, wielding his popular Socratic dialogues which were widely used in schools and colleges.
His heroic courage is a challenge to all those in society who remain silent out of timidity and fear. This was not the case for the recipient of the Veeramani Award this year, for he was not only willing to speak out, but to take bold action to implement the reforms that needed to be enacted.
Indeed his humanist, moral courage was extended to others in society who were likewise denied their rights - women, widows, the elederly.
He also supported other minorities in society. For example, Muslims and Christians, even though he is a professed atheist, a remarkable feat in itself, for he is committed to scientific rationalism and secularism.
Mr. Karunanidhi was keenly aware that often the most horrendous deeds are perpetrated in the name of God. It is a sad commentary that the entire caste system was justified on religious grounds and enshirned in traditions because of alleged divine sanctions. Thus Mr. Karunanidhi eloquently rejected the involving of the gods to justify this infamous evil.
It is a sad commentary that the entire caste system was justified on religious grounds and enshirned in traditions because of alleged divine sanctions. Thus Mr. Karunanidhi eloquently rejected the involving of the gods to justify this infamous evil.
By so acting, he examplifies the highest virtues of which human beings are capable. Those who valiently defend human equality and social justice represent the noblest attainments of Human Civilization.
Accordingly it is with deep emotion and rational conviction, on behalf of the many supporters of Periyar in the world, that I am pleased to hereby confer on the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu the “Veeramani Award for Social Justice.”
