K. R. Ramaswamy (born 1934) known as Traffic Ramaswamy is a former mill worker, a founder member of Tamil Nadu's Home Guard, and a self-appointed traffic policeman, public interest litigator and social activist from Chennai.
Much of his activism relates to regulating traffic in Chennai and filing PIL in court. Initially he started unofficially directing traffic at the city's busy Parrys Corner. The local police were pleased with his efforts and provided him with an official identity card. He acquired the nickname Traffic Ramaswamy after that.
He has brought many public interest lawsuits in the Madras High Court. In 2007, he was attacked by his opponents' lawyers on the steps of the courthouse. 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. He has also had his office ransacked and papers were stolen. However, helped by donations from friends, he claims he will continue his fight to make Chennai the most livable and lovable city.
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). He is now accompanied day and night by an armed police bodyguard.
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.
Video Traffic Ramaswamy
Popular Culture
A biopic titled Traffic Ramasamy on the life of Traffic Ramaswamy is being directed by debutant Vicky.
Maps Traffic Ramaswamy
References
Other links
- Chennai Best, "Battling for the Cause of Chennai Citizens" Retrieved: 9 July 2007
- The Hindu, 27 Nov 2006 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Retrieved: 10 July 2007
- IBN Live,, 23 January 2007, "This 73-yr-old is largest PIL filer"
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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