Popular social activist in Tamil Nadu KR Ramaswamy, better known as Traffic Ramaswamy, has been battling for survival in Chennai as he has been getting treated in a critical condition. He has been placed under life support. Ramaswamy is prominent across Tamil Nadu for his activism over removing encroachments and political banners erected on the roadside. 

According to reports, the 86-year-old octogenarian was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital a few days ago with serious complications of the COVID-19 viral infection. He was spelt to be in a critical condition and on Tuesday morning, he was put on ventilator support after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Dr Theranirajan, who is the Dean of the hospital said that Ramaswamy is on life support and cardiac medicines. 

While he has been getting treated at the hospital, there were several rumours doing rounds on social media that Ramaswamy had passed away. Traffic Ramaswamy was a staunch protester against the erection of banners and he had removed the banners of the political leaders including Jayalalithaa when the latter was in rule. He had campaigned against the encroachments and had moved litigations in the court against such activities.

His protests and activism had invited trouble from the government and the police had registered many cases against him and he also had received multiple threats post which he was granted with the police security where two police personnel will accompany him at all places. Much of his activism relates to regulating traffic in Chennai and his activism has also resulted in the demolition of many illegally constructed buildings in Chennai.  

In 2015, Traffic Ramaswamy had contested as an independent candidate in the assembly by-poll of the RK Nagar constituency in Chennai against then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. He was a strong critic of Jayalalithaa and in 2018, a biopic titled 'Traffic Ramaswamy' was released based on the life of Ramaswamy. The biopic was directed by debutant Vicky in which the father of actor Vijay, SA Chandrasekar had portrayed the character of Ramaswamy.