Traffic Ramaswamy (Dead) Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Social Activist, PIL, Images

K. R. Ramaswamy, more popularly known as Traffic Ramaswamy is a former mill worker and active public interest litigator (PIL) from Chennai. He is a founder member of Tamil Nadu’s Home Guard, and a self-appointed traffic policeman. After taking voluntary retirement in 1971, Ramaswamy started engaging in social activism. At 84, he continues to question the government, police officers, politicians and officials fearlessly. His activism mostly related to regulating traffic in Chennai and filing PIL in court.

Recently, he was affected with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and admitted to Chennai’s Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. On May 4, 2021 (Tuesday morning), Ramaswamy, aged 86, was in ventilator support after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. He passed away at the Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital today.

Traffic Ramaswamy Profile

Traffic Ramaswamy was born on 1 April 1934 on Tamil Nadu, India. His parents and first circle use to call him as Sampath at his early age. In 1952, Ramaswamy joined with C. Rajagopalachari and assisted him when he served as the Chief Minister of Madras state. He considers Rajagopalachari his role model even today.

At the age of 20, Ramaswamy joined Chennai’s iconic Binny Mills as a weaving master. In 1971, he retired from service voluntarily and started engaging in social activism.

Traffic Ramaswamy as Social Activist

Ramaswamy’s activism in de-congesting of major bus routes in Chennai earned him the nickname ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy. He would often be seen regulating traffic on the street or filing PILs in the court.  In 2002, he was assaulted by fish sellers, after his efforts led to banning 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. 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 would often file public interest litigations against illegal constructions, and corruption in the Chennai city, as he made enemies with builders, government officials, and politicians of Chennai. However, his efforts 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 by arguing the money could be more properly used for development work.

In 2002, Ramaswamy was attacked and severely hurt. Ramaswamy’s wife and daughter started living separately. Their fears were not baseless. He is now living under armed police bodyguard protection for the last 14 years. In October 2013, Ramaswamy filed a PIL against the then-Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa.

Living under police protection for the last 14 years, Ramaswamy is also a firebrand protester against corruption, making enemies across political parties. In October 2013, he filed a PIL against government’s move to acquire Veda Nilayam, Jayalalitha’s house, for building a memorial using public funds.

Recently, the Tamil film industry started to make his success story as a movie to inspire the people. Director Vicky is making a film about this life and achievements, the film titled as Traffic Ramasamy. The film shoot started around Chennai in December 2017 with S.A. Chandrasekhar as a lead role.

Traffic Ramaswamy Biography

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