MARTYR SIVALINGAM
JANUARY 26th,
1965 is red letter day in the annals of Tamil history. The writ of the
Government of India that Hindi shall be the official language of India was made
effective from that fatal day. Madras, the capital city of Tamil Nad witnessed
many riotous scenes staged by the people to mark their protest against the
imposition of Hindi. The police and the military manifested their might against
the unarmed civilians to maintain law and order. On that fateful day of the 26th
of January Madras city witnessed many a memorable scene, but nothing so tragic
as the acts of the self immolation of the great hero, young Sivalingam.
T.
M. Sivalingam was a young man hailing from the suburbs of Kodambakkam in Madras
city. Not yet twenty four, handsome young Sivalingam was the most eligible
bachelor. But his thoughts never dwelt on matrimony. He was full of zeal and
zest for the cause of Tamil. It is reported that he was always telling his
friends that Tamil was his life and that he would give up his life, if ever
Tamil was in danger. He took great interest in the D. M. K. movement and
participated in the activities of many Tamil Manrams. On the night of the
twenty fifth of January before he went to bed, Sivalingam was in animated
conversation with his friends and relatives. He opened out his heart to a few
of his intimate friends that we Tamilians should demonstrate bitter opposition
to Hindi in a very big way, so that the central government takes note of it. Dramatic
events must take shape to impress on the Hindi fanatics the truth and fact of
our strong dislike of Hindi.
The
day broke, the day that was to decide the fate of Tamil Nad for centuries. it
was the 26th January. Young Sivalingam’s brother Mari woke up at 4
A.M. and his found that Sivalingam was not in is bed. His home people were
alarmed and his kith and kin went out in search of the enthusiast Thiru
Sivalingam. They neared the Bhagith Road at Kodambakkam, were they saw the
awful scene – the beautiful body of their darling Sivalingam enveloped in the
fumes of the flaming fire. A petrol galleon and a letter were found by the
side. Bits of paper with the words: “Down with Hindi. Long live Tamil” were all
scattered about the roadside the ringing words of the last testament of this
immortal hero Sivalingam: “My life for
Tamil, my body to the fire. I set my body in fire and die, in protest of Hindi
being made the official language of India”.
The
mortal body of the great hero Sivalingam has been eaten away by the flaming
fires. But his immortal spirit hovers round to remind us of our duty to save
our mother-tongue Tamil from the evil clutches of dominant Hindi “Awake, arise
and stop not till our goal is reached!” success comes to those who dare and do;
it seldom visits the timid and the weak.
The
year of grace 1965 is unique because of the sacrifice of eight great men of
Tamil Nad at the after of the deity of TAMIL. They vowed that they would not
submit to the domination of Hindi and would fight the compulsory imposition of
Hindi till the last breath of their life. They found the Tamilians dull docile
and dejected, and wanted to do something sensational to whip up the slumbering
Tamils and make them act with determination and courage. It is only the cowards
who are afraid of death. But these brave young men were prepared to face death
rather than live a life of abject slavery under Hindi imperialism. They set
fire to their bodies and died so that Tamil may live forever. They have become
immortal and the nation bows before these guardian angels of liberty. ‘Quit
India’ campaign was a great event in the long history of our fight for
independence, against the Britishers. But the spirit of resistance shown by
these eight illustrious heroes against the tyranny of Hindi domination far
excels all records in human history. We may shed tears of admiration at the
noble acts of self-immolation of these eight gems. We may name our children and
grandchildren after these great heroes. We may raise statues for them or open exhibitions
of their portraits by holding fairs and festivals in honour of their glory. But
more than all these, the best way we can show our regards and respects for
their illustrious soul is to emulate their love of Tamil and spirit of service
and sacrifice for the sacred cause.
Hindi
is slowly steadily and stealthily introduced into our schools, colleges and
government offices. The only way to protest Tamil against the onslaught of
Hindi is not to indulge in agitations, fasts or other ultimatum. The agitational
approach has signally failed to furnish us the much-desired results. Elections,
the general elections, alone hold the key to success. We have to wage the war
against Hindi on the battle front of elections. The Battle of the Ballot-Box
has to be fought out against the congress in 1967 General Elections and the
victory gained in that battle alone will help us to achieve our goal of driving
out Hindi forever.
Victory
in the military had all along been the deciding factor of the destiny of
nations. With the march of human civilization and the advent of the ideals of
democracy, the centre of gravity has now shifted from military battle to the
ballot-box.
Martyr
Sivalingam has left us the message that we should fight out to put down the
domination of Hindi. Hindi or Tamil is the issue before us in the general
elections of 1967. To work for Tamil being given an equal place with Hindi is
our sacred duty. Every vote is an atom bomb and with that weapon as our aid, we
shall end the domination of the congress government and thereby end the
domination of Hindi as well. Tamil Nad expects every true Tamilian to do his
duty towards his native language of Tamil and carry out Martyr Sivalingam’s
noble mission. Long live martyr Sivalingam and his message that Tamil is our
life and that we should sacrifice our lives for the cause of Tamil if the need
arises!
Swami Shuddhananda Bharati Says:
“The
hoary VEDAS declare: “All is Brahman-the Supreme One. The Brahman-knower
attains the highest bliss.” The holy KURAL proclaimed: “The ancient Supreme One
is the Origin of the world of becoming even as A is the starting point of all
sound-forms. Of what avail is learning, if one adoreth not the blissful feet of
the Omniscient?” The holy AL QURAN commandeth: “Believe and bow to the almighty
Allah!” The excellent KURAL lays down: “ Worthless is that head, even like
senses devoid of sensations, which bendeth not unto the Divine of eightfold
virtues-the Divine almighty, all-knowing, all-merciful, all-delightful,
ever-free, ever-pure, luminous, transcendent!” The sacred BIBLE sermons: “Seek
ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be
added unto Thee!” The holy KURAL hymns: “Behold them that take refuge at the
feet of the Unequalled One they alone shall be free from mind-born cares. They
alone cross the sea of existence. Behold the men that attain the feet of He who
is beyond likes and dislikes; the woes of life are naught for them”.
KURAL
NERI -
Thiruvalluvar era 1997 / 01.06.1966 page 07
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