Why Were Women Enslaved? - Thanthai Periyar EVR (translated from tamil ’Penn Yaen Adimai Aanal’ by Meena Kandasamy)

Preface: We consider it essential to write at least a few lines as preface about the issues discussed in this book 'Penn Yaen Adimai Aanal' (Why Were Women Enslaved) as desired by our publisher. The issues found here are greatly opposed to social restraint, morality, orthodox codes, religious doctrines, the code of laws given in the holy treatises, and the emotions and facts that have so far emerged from the people. So, we cannot assume that an idea can be proved true and introduced among ordinary people on the strength of justice and rationalism because such people will feel that the opinions overturn conventional ideas and possess a revolutionary characteristic. Irrespective of an opinion's fairness, or its truthfulness that makes it amenable to rationalism and research, it is very easy to refute it in the name of traditions, holy treatises or religious doctrines without any sensible wisdom or impartial objective. Apart from creating such blame, they can easily ensure that the lay people accept such refutations and reproaches. Therefore, a fitting explanation has to be given in order to prove this. So, in the name of preface, we are writing a few lines. Moreover, its our opinion that in today's situation, the ideas in this book should be useful to people of any religion, any nationality and any community. Therefore, it is essential that not only women, but even all men with feelings of empathy and equality towards women, buy this book, read it and reform themselves. - EV Ramasamy (01-01-1942 Erode)