Periyar also viewed reasoning as a special tool. According to him all were blessed with his tool but very few used it. So Periyar used reasoning with respect to subjects of social interests, in his presentations to his audience. Not only was he a social revolutionary, Periyar was also a champion of the underprivileged. His sphere of work was wide and when he took up an issue he went deep into it, took time to understand the aspects, and did not rest until he found a permanent solution. Communal differences in Tamil society were deep-rooted and appeared to be permanent features until Periyar came to the scene. Rationalism Theory by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy The main base of Ramasamy's principle was rationalism. The main fact that helped him draw closer to public was his philosophy and ideology in life. He always wanted the exploited and deprived to have a good life, and sit up and understand their position. He worked towards creating awareness and awakening among the people. Likewise, Periyar also explained that understanding lies in thinking and that the spear-head of thinking is rationalism. On the issue of caste discrimination he stated that no other living being harms or degrades its own class. Periyar vehemently criticized the capitalists for their control of machineries, creating problems to the workers. Consequently rationalism, which has to lead the way for peaceful life to all, had resulted in causing scarcity and doubts to the people because of dominating forces. In a message to the Brahmin community, Periyar stated, "in the name of god, religion, and 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". He further explained that "any opposition not based on rationalism, science, or experience will one day or another, reveal the fraud, selfishness, lies and conspiracies" |