The members of the Justice party were at the forefront among the opposers of the law brought by Dr. Kaur. Thiru.Vi. Ka wrote articles about the Devadasi abolition in his journal Navashakthi. He created awareness by publishing articles and reports written by many.

On 3.3.1922, Thiru.Vi.Ka, in his journal Navashakthi, wrote on the topic Devadasi mentioningDr.Har Singh Kaur's resolution on the abolition of the Devadasi system that introduced in the Indian Legislative assembly gathered in Delhi and also about the duties that Devadasis have to do for their freedom. On June 6, 1922, Srimath Swami Rudra Kodiswarar gave a speech about the problems of Devadasis at Ramamirtham's home.

In this, Swamiji elaborately spoke about Devadasis’ getting educated  and about the significance of Women in the Tamil Society. On 9 December 1922, Srimath Arputhanandha Swamigal wrote an article titled 'Thenindhiya Devadasigal' in the Navashakthi journal.

Swamigal wrote in it about the Devadasis being ignored in the meetings of All Indian Musical Council, about the duties of Devadasis, about the Devadasis Reformation council started in Secundrabad in Hyderabad. His suggestion was for formation of one such council in Tamil Nadu. Thiru.Vi.Ka published that article too in his Navashakthhi journal. Isai Vellalar Conference was held in 1925 on behalf of Isai Vellalar Sangam. At first, it was Thiru.Vi.Ka to lead the conference. He told it would be excellent only if a person from Isai Vellalarcommunity were to lead the conference.

Then, Yamini PooranaThilagamma, an Andhra woman running a school named “Hindu Yuvathi Saranalaym”  for their welfare, was selected as a Leader for the heeld conference. ( Yamini Poorana Thilagamma belongs to the Congress party, was a freedom fighter, and started this organization for the Devadasi and the young women. On 7 March 1925, When Gandhiji visited Tamil Nadu, he came to Hindu Yuvathi Saranalayam. Gandhiji was briefed about the cruelty and shame that Devadasis undergo).

Along with Thriu.Vi.Ka, E.V.Ramasamy also attended the conference. Thiru.Vi.Ka spoke for about two and a quarter-hour. Then, E.V.Ramasamy spoke. Thiru.Vi.Ka, himself writes what he spoke, “Then Ramasamy Nayakkar got up and started saying ‘my friend, Kalaingar, was inexperienced’. He proclaimed himself as experienced and spoke in derogatory ways about others. Everyone's face, including the Leaders’, became embarrassed. The conference lost its fire. There were a few letter exchanged between the chief and the sisters. Nayakkar finally said that he realizes that they didn't like his speech, and went on to speak on the khaddar campaign.

Ramamirtham left the Congress along with when E.V.Ramasamy left the congress party. When E.V.Ramasamy left the Congress, Muvalur Ramamirtham also followed. Many followed and got recognition, but, Ramamirtham was sidelined. Because of the lack of wealthy background and education, her name was not found anywhere. Thus, along with her body, the soul also got tired. The fact that she never got the appropriate recognition from the movement for which she worked hard for 35 years is the actual reality.

In 1949, the Dravidian Party broke, and DMK got formed. The marriage of E.V.Ramasamy with  Maniyammai was the mentioned as the main reason. E.V.Ramasamy explaining his marriage said no one has the capacity to run the movement after him. Writer Pa.Jeevasundhari wrote quoting Ramamirtham who questioned  his observation asking, 'even then I don't qualify? Why can't I be accepted as successor?'. Valid question is was. But to this day, there is no answer to that.

In 1927, in Mayavaram, under the leadership of Thiru.Vi.Ka, Sanmargam Conference convened. In this conference, he explained about the dishonor that the Devadasis go through.They passed resolutions for improving the welfare of the Devadasis. He made an appeal for the improvement of Hindu YuvaSaranalayam through his Navashakthi journal.

Dr.Muthulakshmi's work on the abolition of Devadasis has to be written in golden words in the history. She was born to Narayanaswamy Iyer and a devadasi, Chandhirammal. It was intercaste marriage and looks like no one opposed. Narayanaswamy Iyer gave her education in Pudhukottai and sent her to Chennai for studying medicine.

In Chennai then, there were many Christian hostels. Muthulakshimi's parents were afraid that she would be converted if she went there, and so they made her stay in a separate house. This leads to debt. She could settle the debt only after completing her studies and started earning. Her fellow students took her and explained to her about the benefits of the Christian religion. But, she used to dismiss them.

The Chief of Chennai Province, Subburayalu Reddy, was the uncle of Dr.Muthulakshmi's husband, Sundhara Reddy. Their marriage took place in Chennai in 1872 according to the Bramha Samajam law. In 1926, she participated in the Multinational Women Federation in Paris and spoke in detail about the Devadasi system and the advancement of Women. In this conference, it was became obvious that foreigners had the wrong opinion that the Hindu religion recognized the Devadasi practice.

By ancient religious opinion, it was considered that sacrificing young women to temples was only for service. It means women belonging to the various social division were given for only serving the temples and the religion. They used to lead a pious life like the Roman nuns, and with transition of time  their status turned opposite into a disgraceful lifestyle. It was our Mahatma Gandhi who started to reform this degraded society she spoke. She requested them by reminding them of the real aim of the religion, which was hidden all along.

She said, the society was gaining awareness about this disgraced situation and was getting  to reform it. In Chennai, a few among us, under the leadership of Lady Sathashiva Iyer, were going to form an Association to be brought up young women from this disgraceful practice and give them proper education and lifestyle. She explained to them in clear terms that the Hindu religion does not accept the Devadasi system. Indian women Association held many protests against the Devadasi system.

Mahatma Gandhi toured South India in 1927 and his speeches led to agitation among the people of Chennai. Dr.Muthulakshmi met him and explains how she met and talked to Gandhiji during that tour. This right moment happened in 1927 at the house of the then Congress leader, S.Sinivasa Iyengar.

She says, ‘I was then the Member and Vice president of the Legislative assembly of the Chennai province then. As a Doctor, we new Srinivasa Iyengar and his family. So, on hearing my name, Mahatma Gandhi, who was sitting in a cotton bedsheet with a pillow in his back, got up and came towards me and welcomed me. He said he understood that she was a Member of the Legislative Assembly and how she is serving the other women. Kasthurbhai was standing with him at distantly’.

She, at once, showed him her bill on Women and Children's safety and requested his blessings. After reading thoroughly, he said even though he doesnot know the exact details of the bill, he agrees with the central purpose of the bill. He not only approved the bill but also told he would give his full support by writing in 'Young India' journal.

In 1927, Gandhiji toured Tamil Nadu. ‘I, on behalf of the Indian women association, organized a big gathering in the Hindu High school at Thiruvallikeni. More than 500 women had gathered. Among them, important people who gathered  were Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy  Ammal, cousins, Srinivasa Iyengar, Alamelu Mangathayarammal, Sathasiva Iyer, and about 12 European women.

Here, Muthulakshmi Reddy, in her Welcome address, appealed to Gandhi ji him that since the Devadasi system was widespread in all the South Indian temples, to give enough time and focus on this devadasi problem as he speaks about discrimination and alcoholism.

(Will be continued)

 

Article translated from Tamil to English by: Mareeswaran M, PhD Student, IIM Bangalore 

 

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