In a recent statement, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai spoke out against the discrimination faced by Brahmins in the state. He stands with a community that, in his words, has been unjustly “hounded and threatened” for decades, drawing a parallel to the persecution of Jews in Germany during World War II. Such loaded words underscore the depth of the social divide and animosity that has taken root in Tamil Nadu society.
But, more importantly, Annamalai’s statement opens up the space for a dialogue that the state must engage in.
The statement sheds light on the need for addressing hatred against the Brahmins in Tamil Nadu, though he grossly overstates the scenario as similar to the Jews’ plight — a dramatic hyperbole that risks trivialising the latter. The Dravidian movement of the early 20th century, which Annamalai blamed for trying to drive out Brahmins, was a socio-political and cultural movement that challenged caste supremacy and advocated for the rights of marginalised communities. It was started to tackle the domination of Brahmins in education, jobs, and the public sphere. This movement indeed shaped modern Tamil Nadu — and scarred society in its wake. It created a permanent binary between the Brahmins and non-Brahmins in the state.
Beneath the rhetoric, there is a genuine issue at hand – the undeniable presence of caste-based conflict, contradictions, suspicion, and hatred in Tamil society. We must address this through sincere dialogues, mutual respect, and shared efforts toward reconciliation and unity.
The history of various communities in Tamil Nadu is riddled with bitter memories. The oppressed castes have their own stories of discrimination and exclusion by the Brahmins. On the other part of the spectrum are the stories of Brahmin victimhood and hatred as a result of the Dravidian movement. But can we, as a society, move forward while holding onto the events of the past?
Joseph Ernest Renan, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr show the way forward.
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Lay the past to rest
Ernest Renan, a French scholar in the 19th century, argued in an 1882 lecture titled ‘What is a Nation?’ that forgetfulness plays an important role in nation-building. “The essence of a nation is that all of its individual members have a great deal in common and also that they have forgotten many things…Forgetting, I would even say historical error, is an essential factor in the creation of a nation, and it is for this reason that the progress of historical studies often poses a threat to nationality,” the scholar said. Renan was not advocating for historical amnesia but rather for the ability to transcend past divisions and create a shared, collective identity — a larger wish to do great things together.
The people of Tamil Nadu can adopt ‘collective forgetting’ as an integral part of their journey toward reconciliation and unity. Collective forgetting involves acknowledging the past and learning from it but choosing not to let it dictate our present and future. It’s about not harping too much on bad memories in ossified form.
We can see how the idea of collective forgetting can be put into action by drawing from global leaders who have championed reconciliation in the past — South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela and American civil rights champion Martin Luther King Jr. While they are widely known for their unwavering commitment to justice and equality, they also recognised the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Mandela, who led South Africa out of the shackles of Apartheid during the latter half of the 20th century, is known to have said that the country wanted and needed Whites to be a “rainbow nation”. Radical South African leaders even opposed him for not agreeing to the idea of reparation by taking land from the Whites. Nonetheless, it is safe to argue that Mandela’s idea of reconciliation salvaged the South African economy and saved it from going neighbouring Zimbabwe’s chaotic way.
Similarly, in his quest for racial equality in the United States, Martin Luther King Jr preached about love and forgiveness. “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love,” the American minister wrote in his book A Gift of Love. These powerful words remind us that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but a courageous act of love.
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DMK following it
Applying these principles to Tamil Nadu, it’s clear that it’s time to break free from the narratives of animosity. Collective forgetting must lay the past to rest — while acknowledging its impact — and forge a new shared identity. The MK Stalin government’s effort to take everyone together is a step in the right direction. Going against the anti-Brahmin sentiment in the state, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chose to appoint economists such as Raghuram Rajan and Arvind Subramanian to the CM’s advisory council in 2021. It shows that caste is not and should not be considered in statecraft and governance. We need many more such outreach efforts.
This journey toward reconciliation, though, should not and cannot be a one-sided effort. It should be accompanied by systemic changes to address existing inequalities and ensure social justice. The idea of forgetfulness must not be used to perpetuate discrimination and reproduce hegemony.
Forgetfulness isn’t about the erasure of history. Martin Luther King Jr gave another clue in his book: “Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.”
The journey ahead may be complex and challenging, but Tamil Nadu must embark on it for the sake of posterity. In the words of Nelson Mandela: “Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.”
Why Tamil Nadu can lead the charge
Tamil Nadu, being one of the most urbanised and industrialised states in India, is uniquely positioned to lead this charge toward reconciliation. The state boasts of a robust economy and impressive financial resources, which can be effectively utilised to invest in inclusive programmes that address caste-based disparities. Social justice must be seen as a part of reconciliation not used to perpetrate hate against any single community.
Furthermore, the state’s diverse population is more aware and connected due to higher literacy rates and access to information. This connectivity can foster dialogue and understanding among different communities. Moreover, Tamil Nadu’s long history of social reform movements provides a foundation upon which new strategies for reconciliation can be built.
In forging this path, Tamil Nadu has the opportunity not only to heal its own societal fractures but also to serve as a model for other states.
It’s time the Tamilians take a leaf out of Renan, Mandela, and King’s books.
Dilip Mandal is the former managing editor of India Today Hindi Magazine, and has authored books on media and sociology. He tweets @Profdilipmandal. Views are personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)