Traffic Ramaswamy

K. R. Ramaswamy[1] (1 April 1934 – 4 May 2021), referred to by the media as Traffic Ramaswamy, was an Indian public interest litigator and social activist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was a mill worker, a founder member of Tamil Nadu's Home Guard, and a self-appointed traffic policeman.[2][3]

"Traffic Ramasamy" redirects here. For the film, see Traffic Ramasamy (film).

Traffic Ramaswamy
Born
K. R. Ramaswamy

1 April 1934
Tamil Nadu
Died4 May 2021 (aged 87)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
NationalityIndian
Other namesSampath, Traffic Ramaswamy
Years activeunknown–2021

Activism

Much of his activism relates to regulating traffic in Chennai and filing public interest lawsuits in court.[4] Initially he started unofficially directing traffic at the city's busy Parrys Corner.[5] The local police were pleased with his efforts and provided him with an official identity card.[5] He acquired the nickname Traffic Ramaswamy after that.[5]

He has brought many public interest lawsuits in the Madras High Court as well as Supreme Court of India.[5] In 2007, he was attacked by his opponents' lawyers on the steps of the courthouse.[5] 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. His family later disowned him.[6] He has also had his office ransacked and papers were stolen.[7] However, helped by donations from friends and public he claimed he would continue his fight to make Chennai the most livable and lovable city,[5] his Advocate Mr. S. Ganesan helping him to file PIL case from 2007.

His activism has resulted in the demolition of many illegally constructed buildings in Chennai, restrictions on motorised fish carts, decongestion 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 was accompanied day and night by an armed police bodyguard appointed by the Madras High Court.[8]

His work in the removal and banning of illegally placed hoardings received renewed public interest in September 2019 following the traffic death of Chennai-based engineer Subasri.[9][10] She had been traveling on her two-wheeler when an illegally-placed banner of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam fell from a height of approximately 15 feet directly in front of her two-wheeler causing her to lose control and fall to the ground and be crushed by a water tanker lorry coming from behind her which was unable to halt in time.[11]

Death

On 4 May 2021, Ramaswamy died in Chennai at the age of 87.[12]

His death was reported to be due to battling complications of COVID-19 at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai.[13]

A biopic titled Traffic Ramasamy on the life of Traffic Ramaswamy was directed by debutant Vicky in which the father of Vijay and director S. A. Chandrasekhar had played the titular role.[14]

References
  1. "'Will ensure those who put illegal banners are sent to jail': 'Traffic' Ramaswamy to TNM". The News Minute. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  2. "Traffic Ramaswamy dies in Chennai". A Subramani & Pushpa Narayan. The Times of India. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  3. "'Traffic' Ramaswamy, the man who fought for people's rights, passes away in Chennai". The NewsMinute. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  4. "One man army : Traffic Ramaswamy". eCharcha.Com. 24 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. Chennai Best
  6. "Shunned by family, man vows to continue his drive for better traffic". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  7. "Chennai loves this traffic stopper with a cause". Hindustan Times. 29 November 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  8. "Traffic Ramaswamy - one man in Chennai everyone needs to know about". The News Minute. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  9. Jesudasan, Dennis S. (16 September 2019). "Onus is on police, not politicians, to crack down on illegal hoardings: 'Traffic' Ramaswamy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  10. Poorvaja, S. (17 September 2019). "I refuse to accept that my daughter's death was an accident: Subasri's father". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  11. "23-yr-old Chennai techie Subhasri killed after AIADMK leader's hoarding turns death trap". The News Minute. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  12. "'Traffic' Ramaswamy, the man who fought for people's rights, passes away in Chennai". The News Minute. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  13. "'Traffic' Ramaswamy dies due to Covid-19 at 87". Hindustan Times. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  14. Subramanian, Anupama (24 December 2017). "It's a big honour to be a part of the 'Traffic' Ramasamy biopic: Prakash Raj". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
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