Ahead of polls in Tamil Nadu, many youngsters ThePrint spoke to said the issues they will vote for are preservation of Tamil culture, non-imposition of Hindi and secularism.
'Hindutva and Dalits', edited by Anand Teltumbde, talks about how the Sangh Parivar is politically and ideologically manipulating the Dalit movement in India.
Rajinikanth's remark strikes at the heart of Tamil Nadu's Dravidian politics. To say anything against Periyar is not just risky but perhaps politically suicidal too.
Tamil author, who was hounded by Right-wing groups over his controversial novel, says freedom of expression must be upheld and all types of books should be given space in society.
The Italian term sprezzatura—a studied nonchalance that conceals intention—best captures the spirit of Trump’s foreign policy so far. The pattern is unpredictability, transactionalism, and disruption as diplomacy.
With 20.2 percent of its total loans in default by the end of last year, Bangladesh had the weakest banking system in Asia. Despite reforms, it will take time to recover.
Bihar is blessed with a land more fertile for revolutions than any in India. Why has it fallen so far behind then? Constant obsession with politics is at the root of its destruction.
Yes. Very much that muslims, christians use veshti and sarees in TN traditionally. Remember the Dravidian movement is not about dress, but about equality, social justice for all irrespective of religion, caste or other differences. Tamilnadu is way ahead in these aspect and upliftment of suppressed people.
Dravida movement, movement that openly insulted Tamil language was only about equality of Non Tamils in Tamil Nadu and aims to overthrow the Tamil language and Tamilians out of Tamil Nadu.
The burning alive of Tamil babies and Tamil adults to death by Dravida Tamil haters in 1969 was just an eye opener. When Telugu Karunanidhi was silent when Tamils were brutally murdered in Ceylon, it already exposed that Dravida movement means to topple Tamils as a race.
Dravida and Hindi parties belong to the same cult. Only a Tamilian Chief Minister and a Tamil party can solve problems caused by Dravida parties including bulk of reservation benefits going to non Tamils including Hindified Muslims, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalee castes at the cost of Tamils.
Brahmin and other castes were created by Dravida Telugu/Kannada haters of Tamils so that they hold power and brutalize Tamils, the 1969 burning alive of Tamils in Tamil Nadu by Dravida caste people should not be forgotten. The wounds are not yet healed and will never be.
Tamil state is only for Tamils, others are welcome, but non Tamils holding power is no more being welcomed.
Anwar following periyar because periyar insulted hindus. Will anwar follow taslima?
What is your secularism ? Vedic domination?
Muslims, Christians and tribals feel absolutely safe in Tamilnadu. And the Hindus in TN are perfectly ok with that. Go on make Karnataka an exemplary Hindutva Lab of the South but please don’t dream about doing that with the rest of the South.
This is a paid article, there is no Dravidian image for any person only film based personality ruled so for.Liquore and film are cheating people with faulse information.
It is sad that our youth still talk of language, community, Dravidian etc in this digital age. This is the worst contribution to Tamilnadu by the DMK and it’s ilk. They don’t want exams, they want reservation for ever, they will waste enormous time in meaning less movies, they will say they are against Hindi but will own school teaching Hindi? Tamilnadu may have to suffer from Dravidian parties may be for a maximum of 15 years. Vaiko has surrendered, Vijay kanth untraceable, PMK shrunk to a castist party.
Now I am at 75. I had no party identity. I was a college student in peryar’s era. When I was the school student, I could not pass through the agraharam with wearing chappal. Still I am having the pain in my hart. In class rooms we the people had different treatement given by the teachers particularly belonging to Brahmin community, even though I am belonging to OBC. We were redeemed from this slavary by the work of Peryar and his Dravidian movement. Dravidian philosophy not political issue. It is to get the freedom from the autocratic Brahminisim and the imperialistic one Nation one language unitary concept of Delhi. Some body is diverting the imposition oh Hindi and Sanscrit saying those were not imposed. They may not know the fact, in some part of Tamil Nadu, Kilometer stones are now holding the destinations in Hindi only. Some body are speaking about the economy. Tamil Nadu stood second to Maharastra in GDP. This happens during the Dravidian party rule. Each and every villages are linked with permeant bitumen Roads. All villages are linked with Mass transport system. Almost there is no drop outs in continuing the collegiate education. All the villages were electrified before 1977. To day, 5 persons are working in abroad from each village in average. I can cite more and more about the achievement of Dravidian party rule of this state. DMK has empowered the ladies in getting their full property right. It also made the poor farmers as the partner of the lazy upper caste Brahmin land lords. So they were not survive in that scenario, so they sold all the lands particularly in Tanjore district. That the same peryar’s follower Karunanithi, made 35 % reservation in Government job exclusive for ladies. What is the present problem in Tamil Nadu? Those who had affected by these reforms, driving this Hindutva philosophy in to Tamil Nadu. These forces are the band wagon of North Indian based organization. They were convenient in north Indian people by saying jai Sriram . But that slogan can’t take root in Tamil Nadu. India is the landscape in which several ethnicities are living with their own culture and their mother tongue. How can we accept unitary concept on the basis of Brahmin dominated Hindu sentiment and Hindi fundamentalism.
Ask why your Telugu leader Karunananidhi did not reserve jobs for Tamils, only for your Telugu Dravida clan. Brahmin and other casts were created by your Telugu / Kannada origin rich fake backwards originating from Vijayanagar empire to over throw Tamils out of Tamil Nadu.
Dravida hatred for Tamils and Tamil language will be opposed tooth and nail. Your fake opposition of Islamic origin language Hindi is also exposed as speaking in Tamil is banned in DMK run schools.
Dravida movement is anti Tamil movement aiming to overthrow Tamil out of Tamil Nadu.
Dravida parties will be replaced by Tamil parties, only a Tamilian Chief Minister can solve problem caused by Non Tamil Dravida parties who are in the same team as Hindi parties.
50 years ago, used to speak and write 4 regional languages and English, the international language. Looking back, I suppose only the international language saved me. All regional languages, including mother tongue, wasted my time and energy.
This article is misleading and, probably, demeaning the youth of the region.
One can live on love and fresh air too. It will be a happy life but a very short one. Does it speak well for the Nation that matters of Governance (electing Governments) is purely based on culture and language? (will handle secularism a bit later). No culture or language can sustain without a robust economy for it to thrive in. Culture, language and secularism are societal issues and not matters for electing a Government whose primary responsibility is the wellbeing of the people, which can be achieved only with money; with education, technological and industrial progress and trade. Being from these regions of the country I am sanguine that the youth (I too was once a youth) in these parts know it very well. I wonder which youth this author spoke to and to how many youths.
What is secularism (religious). I suppose it simply is that each religion recognize each of the other religions and its GOD(s). Period. For a society to be secular the religious leaders should periodically come together on a common platform and proclaim “Your God(s) is as good as mine; your path to reach him is as good as mine”. Period. If this is done in a society no politician can use religion to garner votes.
“.. For a society to be secular the religious leaders should periodically come together .. and proclaim “Your God(s) is as good as mine; your path to reach him is as good as mine”. Period. If this is done in a society no politician can use religion to garner votes ..”
Additionally, your utopian idea of secularism does not exist in any country in the world.
Most definitions of secularism regard the term as the degree of separation between the state i.e. government and the religions that operate in a given country. The religious freedoms in a country also come under the ambit of secularism. Thus, you have several variants of secularism in the world today.
1. ACTUAL OFFICIAL RELIGION: In primarily Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia etc., the official religion is Islam and the clergy have immense say in the affairs of the state. You also see this in some Catholic countries like Philippines, Argentina, Ireland, Poland etc. where the Church does influence state policy in many areas such as marriage, divorce, abortion, gay rights, same sex marriage and so on. In many Islamic countries, there is limited freedom of religion for non-Muslims. But generally in Western democracies, religious minorities are not persecuted.
2. SYMBOLIC & DE JURE OFFICIAL RELIGION WITH DE FACTO & DE JURE SECULARISM: In countries like Norway, UK, Sweden etc. Christianity is the official religion from a purely ceremonial and historical point of view. However, the Church does not interfere in the affairs of the state and people are free to practise other religions.
3. DE JURE SECULARISM WITH DE FACTO OFFICIAL RELIGION: You see this in places like India and Bangladesh. Whilst the Constitutions of these countries enshrine secularism and the state has no religion, in reality, the majority religion influences policy making. In both Bangladesh and India, there is a drift from the original intent of secularism. Additionally, the space for religious minorities in both countries is seen to be shrinking.
4. LAÏCITÉ: No official religion and complete separation of state from religion as seen in France. The French state does not encourage any religion, nor does it discourage any religion as long as the religion in question does not trample upon the rights of citizens. In France, it also means that when in the employ of the state, the representative if the state cannot display religious symbols such as a prominent rosary or cross, the Sikh turban, the burkha etc. etc. Although there are no issues with sporting a Sikh turban or wearing a prominent rosary whilst in the streets. The French version is built on the 4 principles of liberté, égalité, separation & neutralité. The French approach which allows full religious freedom contrasts with the former USSR version of secularism where religion was actually suppressed.
For an excellent explanation in French see the link: “La Laïcité en 3 minutes”. I have also linked to the English version “Ask a French Teacher – What is LA LAÏCITÉ?”. If you wish to hear English spoken with a thick French accent, head over to the second version !
Most countries fall somewhere between these 3 models. But it is worth noting that today, one witnesses a gradual erosion of religious freedoms in de jure secular countries like India, Indonesia, Bangladesh etc. and they are becoming more and more like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The nexus between mullah, Military & Minister in Pakistan is a fait accompli. But the nexus between baba and mantri in India creates in India a Hindu Pakistan and the intolerance that goes with copying an intolerant Islamic country. And I doubt that an alliance of religious leaders batting for tolerance is the answer to this essentially political power grab by netas riding on and exploiting religious intolerance.
REFERENCES
La Laïcité en 3 minutes, ref: bit.ly/2P1L3kt
Ask a French Teacher – What is LA LAÏCITÉ?, ref: bit.ly/2PmdzwX
Tamils have best social indicators in the country. Even their education system is superior to other states. Even their welfare or PDS system works much better than other states in the South (Kerala also is as good as TN) .Other economically developed states have poor social indicators. In those states do you consider that it is good governance or simply a businessman-politician relationship? For that matter many foreign businesses are eager to invest in TN as the working class here is more simple minded and sincere in their attitude to work. TN people are also more law abdiding. But TN is handicapped due to heat and scarcity of good water resources.
So what exactly is BJP bringing to the table? Language and culture is not a disadvantage.
Mr Nagasamy: Excellent comment Sir !
To your question: ”
So what exactly is BJP bringing to the table?”
let me try some answers.
The entry of the BJP in Tamilnadu will surely usher in the following:
1. Religious strife
2. Hindi imposition through backdoor methods
3. BIMARU culture
4. Caste violence
It is imperative that these fascist North Indian forces are kept out of the South. TN has come far ahead in many socio-economic indicators and that can’t be jeopardised.
Nagasamy,
I am in total agreement with your points of development.
This is exactly my point too. Culture, language and religion (caste too) etc. are integral to the society and this should not have anything to do with electing Governments. Economic and development aspects, as is done, should and and HOPEFULLY is not dictating voting patterns.
Disclaimer: I am not batting for any team. Any Government anywhere should be elected solely for development.
Dravidian politics has outlived it’s utility. People vote for economic prosperity.
The DMK is only a family firm now. The AIADMK is slightly better. So much for ideology. Not sure how many know that Periyar, the founder of DK was an iconoclast whose ideas even the current generatioay find difficult to digest. His most famous words, not sure about the context though was ” Tamil is the language of barbarians and Tamils are so backward that they need a non-Tamil to lead them”. Periyar was a non-Tamil just like MGR, possibly Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha, Rajnikant ( though not a politician). Kamalahasn can never win because he is a homegrown Tamilian. Annadurai was an exception and a great man unlike his more famous followers.
Mr Vish: You are right when you say that the DMK is nothing more than a profit chasing family firm with some of the most corrupt people in Indian politics. The Congress Party is another such family firm as are the Reddy firms of AP and the Patnaik firms of Orissa. And as you rightly point out, the AIADMK is not much better either.
But your family does not have to own a political party to control it. Crony capitalists like the Ambani and Adani families do not own the BJP but they nonetheless run the BJP. What do you say to that elegant method of democracy capture Mr Vish?
Sadly, India is run by family dynasties or one man outfits such as the Kejriwal, Mamta Bannerjee or Mayawati groupings. And voters don’t seem to care. Therein lies the tragedy of democracy in India – there is serious a lack of choice.
As the French philosopher and diplomat Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) said:
“Every country has the government it deserves”
Nobody is imposing Hindi on them, what kind of gasbag idea is this. And as for secularism, sure teach that to Islamists, else become a second Kerala/Kashmir in a decade.
Tamils are originally an ancient culture independent of the Vedic culture. The common man in TN has got absorbed by Vedic culture (spread by priests coming in from the North) gradually over centuries like it happened to most pre-Vedic people in India. But they unlike North India have managed to retain a semblance of their independent identity due to the language. Respect all cultures and identities please. We are a diverse nation.
Nonsense Percussionist !
Hindi is being sneak introduced into the South by the BIMARU centric BJP bhakths and the RSS. The language has to be expunged from all official communications and signage in Southern States. Indeed, opposition to Hindi was greatest in Maharashtra as the Shiv Sena emphasised Marathi in official state business – and rightly so.
I have no opposition to Hindi as a language or Hindi being taught for those who wish to learn it. But Hindi carries baggage and the BJP will only wake up sleeping dogs by emphasising Hindi as it does now. Additionally Hindi is an undeveloped langauge when it comes to the business of running a modern government. For instance, Amit Shah imposed Hindi in the Home Ministry and promptly discovered that even Hindiwalas could not work in Hindi.
And as far as your opposition to secularism, pray tell us what you wish to replace it by. Hindutva ?
Poor quality reporting. Old bromide. Reductionist opinion masquerading as reportage.
Do Muslims and Christians follow tamil culture? Do they have tamil names for their children? Do they wear tamil dresses veshti and saree?
Yes. Very much that muslims, christians use veshti and sarees in TN traditionally. Remember the Dravidian movement is not about dress, but about equality, social justice for all irrespective of religion, caste or other differences. Tamilnadu is way ahead in these aspect and upliftment of suppressed people.
Dravida movement, movement that openly insulted Tamil language was only about equality of Non Tamils in Tamil Nadu and aims to overthrow the Tamil language and Tamilians out of Tamil Nadu.
The burning alive of Tamil babies and Tamil adults to death by Dravida Tamil haters in 1969 was just an eye opener. When Telugu Karunanidhi was silent when Tamils were brutally murdered in Ceylon, it already exposed that Dravida movement means to topple Tamils as a race.
Dravida and Hindi parties belong to the same cult. Only a Tamilian Chief Minister and a Tamil party can solve problems caused by Dravida parties including bulk of reservation benefits going to non Tamils including Hindified Muslims, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalee castes at the cost of Tamils.
Brahmin and other castes were created by Dravida Telugu/Kannada haters of Tamils so that they hold power and brutalize Tamils, the 1969 burning alive of Tamils in Tamil Nadu by Dravida caste people should not be forgotten. The wounds are not yet healed and will never be.
Tamil state is only for Tamils, others are welcome, but non Tamils holding power is no more being welcomed.
Anwar following periyar because periyar insulted hindus. Will anwar follow taslima?
The stupid EVRists and DMK fellows are Hinduphobic and Brahminophobic. Why do they talk of secularism when they can’t practice?
The stupid EVRists and DMK fellows are Hinduphobic and Brahminophobic. Why do they talk of secularism when they can’t practice?
What is your secularism ? Vedic domination?
Muslims, Christians and tribals feel absolutely safe in Tamilnadu. And the Hindus in TN are perfectly ok with that. Go on make Karnataka an exemplary Hindutva Lab of the South but please don’t dream about doing that with the rest of the South.
This is a paid article, there is no Dravidian image for any person only film based personality ruled so for.Liquore and film are cheating people with faulse information.
Dai comment ezhudhuravan paera paathaale theriyudhu neenga enna solla poreenga nu.
It is sad that our youth still talk of language, community, Dravidian etc in this digital age. This is the worst contribution to Tamilnadu by the DMK and it’s ilk. They don’t want exams, they want reservation for ever, they will waste enormous time in meaning less movies, they will say they are against Hindi but will own school teaching Hindi? Tamilnadu may have to suffer from Dravidian parties may be for a maximum of 15 years. Vaiko has surrendered, Vijay kanth untraceable, PMK shrunk to a castist party.
Now I am at 75. I had no party identity. I was a college student in peryar’s era. When I was the school student, I could not pass through the agraharam with wearing chappal. Still I am having the pain in my hart. In class rooms we the people had different treatement given by the teachers particularly belonging to Brahmin community, even though I am belonging to OBC. We were redeemed from this slavary by the work of Peryar and his Dravidian movement. Dravidian philosophy not political issue. It is to get the freedom from the autocratic Brahminisim and the imperialistic one Nation one language unitary concept of Delhi. Some body is diverting the imposition oh Hindi and Sanscrit saying those were not imposed. They may not know the fact, in some part of Tamil Nadu, Kilometer stones are now holding the destinations in Hindi only. Some body are speaking about the economy. Tamil Nadu stood second to Maharastra in GDP. This happens during the Dravidian party rule. Each and every villages are linked with permeant bitumen Roads. All villages are linked with Mass transport system. Almost there is no drop outs in continuing the collegiate education. All the villages were electrified before 1977. To day, 5 persons are working in abroad from each village in average. I can cite more and more about the achievement of Dravidian party rule of this state. DMK has empowered the ladies in getting their full property right. It also made the poor farmers as the partner of the lazy upper caste Brahmin land lords. So they were not survive in that scenario, so they sold all the lands particularly in Tanjore district. That the same peryar’s follower Karunanithi, made 35 % reservation in Government job exclusive for ladies. What is the present problem in Tamil Nadu? Those who had affected by these reforms, driving this Hindutva philosophy in to Tamil Nadu. These forces are the band wagon of North Indian based organization. They were convenient in north Indian people by saying jai Sriram . But that slogan can’t take root in Tamil Nadu. India is the landscape in which several ethnicities are living with their own culture and their mother tongue. How can we accept unitary concept on the basis of Brahmin dominated Hindu sentiment and Hindi fundamentalism.
Ask why your Telugu leader Karunananidhi did not reserve jobs for Tamils, only for your Telugu Dravida clan. Brahmin and other casts were created by your Telugu / Kannada origin rich fake backwards originating from Vijayanagar empire to over throw Tamils out of Tamil Nadu.
Dravida hatred for Tamils and Tamil language will be opposed tooth and nail. Your fake opposition of Islamic origin language Hindi is also exposed as speaking in Tamil is banned in DMK run schools.
Dravida movement is anti Tamil movement aiming to overthrow Tamil out of Tamil Nadu.
Dravida parties will be replaced by Tamil parties, only a Tamilian Chief Minister can solve problem caused by Non Tamil Dravida parties who are in the same team as Hindi parties.
50 years ago, used to speak and write 4 regional languages and English, the international language. Looking back, I suppose only the international language saved me. All regional languages, including mother tongue, wasted my time and energy.
This article is misleading and, probably, demeaning the youth of the region.
One can live on love and fresh air too. It will be a happy life but a very short one. Does it speak well for the Nation that matters of Governance (electing Governments) is purely based on culture and language? (will handle secularism a bit later). No culture or language can sustain without a robust economy for it to thrive in. Culture, language and secularism are societal issues and not matters for electing a Government whose primary responsibility is the wellbeing of the people, which can be achieved only with money; with education, technological and industrial progress and trade. Being from these regions of the country I am sanguine that the youth (I too was once a youth) in these parts know it very well. I wonder which youth this author spoke to and to how many youths.
What is secularism (religious). I suppose it simply is that each religion recognize each of the other religions and its GOD(s). Period. For a society to be secular the religious leaders should periodically come together on a common platform and proclaim “Your God(s) is as good as mine; your path to reach him is as good as mine”. Period. If this is done in a society no politician can use religion to garner votes.
“.. For a society to be secular the religious leaders should periodically come together .. and proclaim “Your God(s) is as good as mine; your path to reach him is as good as mine”. Period. If this is done in a society no politician can use religion to garner votes ..”
Additionally, your utopian idea of secularism does not exist in any country in the world.
Most definitions of secularism regard the term as the degree of separation between the state i.e. government and the religions that operate in a given country. The religious freedoms in a country also come under the ambit of secularism. Thus, you have several variants of secularism in the world today.
1. ACTUAL OFFICIAL RELIGION: In primarily Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia etc., the official religion is Islam and the clergy have immense say in the affairs of the state. You also see this in some Catholic countries like Philippines, Argentina, Ireland, Poland etc. where the Church does influence state policy in many areas such as marriage, divorce, abortion, gay rights, same sex marriage and so on. In many Islamic countries, there is limited freedom of religion for non-Muslims. But generally in Western democracies, religious minorities are not persecuted.
2. SYMBOLIC & DE JURE OFFICIAL RELIGION WITH DE FACTO & DE JURE SECULARISM: In countries like Norway, UK, Sweden etc. Christianity is the official religion from a purely ceremonial and historical point of view. However, the Church does not interfere in the affairs of the state and people are free to practise other religions.
3. DE JURE SECULARISM WITH DE FACTO OFFICIAL RELIGION: You see this in places like India and Bangladesh. Whilst the Constitutions of these countries enshrine secularism and the state has no religion, in reality, the majority religion influences policy making. In both Bangladesh and India, there is a drift from the original intent of secularism. Additionally, the space for religious minorities in both countries is seen to be shrinking.
4. LAÏCITÉ: No official religion and complete separation of state from religion as seen in France. The French state does not encourage any religion, nor does it discourage any religion as long as the religion in question does not trample upon the rights of citizens. In France, it also means that when in the employ of the state, the representative if the state cannot display religious symbols such as a prominent rosary or cross, the Sikh turban, the burkha etc. etc. Although there are no issues with sporting a Sikh turban or wearing a prominent rosary whilst in the streets. The French version is built on the 4 principles of liberté, égalité, separation & neutralité. The French approach which allows full religious freedom contrasts with the former USSR version of secularism where religion was actually suppressed.
For an excellent explanation in French see the link: “La Laïcité en 3 minutes”. I have also linked to the English version “Ask a French Teacher – What is LA LAÏCITÉ?”. If you wish to hear English spoken with a thick French accent, head over to the second version !
Most countries fall somewhere between these 3 models. But it is worth noting that today, one witnesses a gradual erosion of religious freedoms in de jure secular countries like India, Indonesia, Bangladesh etc. and they are becoming more and more like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The nexus between mullah, Military & Minister in Pakistan is a fait accompli. But the nexus between baba and mantri in India creates in India a Hindu Pakistan and the intolerance that goes with copying an intolerant Islamic country. And I doubt that an alliance of religious leaders batting for tolerance is the answer to this essentially political power grab by netas riding on and exploiting religious intolerance.
REFERENCES
La Laïcité en 3 minutes, ref: bit.ly/2P1L3kt
Ask a French Teacher – What is LA LAÏCITÉ?, ref: bit.ly/2PmdzwX
Tamils have best social indicators in the country. Even their education system is superior to other states. Even their welfare or PDS system works much better than other states in the South (Kerala also is as good as TN) .Other economically developed states have poor social indicators. In those states do you consider that it is good governance or simply a businessman-politician relationship? For that matter many foreign businesses are eager to invest in TN as the working class here is more simple minded and sincere in their attitude to work. TN people are also more law abdiding. But TN is handicapped due to heat and scarcity of good water resources.
So what exactly is BJP bringing to the table? Language and culture is not a disadvantage.
Mr Nagasamy: Excellent comment Sir !
To your question: ”
So what exactly is BJP bringing to the table?”
let me try some answers.
The entry of the BJP in Tamilnadu will surely usher in the following:
1. Religious strife
2. Hindi imposition through backdoor methods
3. BIMARU culture
4. Caste violence
It is imperative that these fascist North Indian forces are kept out of the South. TN has come far ahead in many socio-economic indicators and that can’t be jeopardised.
Nagasamy,
I am in total agreement with your points of development.
This is exactly my point too. Culture, language and religion (caste too) etc. are integral to the society and this should not have anything to do with electing Governments. Economic and development aspects, as is done, should and and HOPEFULLY is not dictating voting patterns.
Disclaimer: I am not batting for any team. Any Government anywhere should be elected solely for development.
Dravidian politics has outlived it’s utility. People vote for economic prosperity.
The DMK is only a family firm now. The AIADMK is slightly better. So much for ideology. Not sure how many know that Periyar, the founder of DK was an iconoclast whose ideas even the current generatioay find difficult to digest. His most famous words, not sure about the context though was ” Tamil is the language of barbarians and Tamils are so backward that they need a non-Tamil to lead them”. Periyar was a non-Tamil just like MGR, possibly Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha, Rajnikant ( though not a politician). Kamalahasn can never win because he is a homegrown Tamilian. Annadurai was an exception and a great man unlike his more famous followers.
Mr Vish: You are right when you say that the DMK is nothing more than a profit chasing family firm with some of the most corrupt people in Indian politics. The Congress Party is another such family firm as are the Reddy firms of AP and the Patnaik firms of Orissa. And as you rightly point out, the AIADMK is not much better either.
But your family does not have to own a political party to control it. Crony capitalists like the Ambani and Adani families do not own the BJP but they nonetheless run the BJP. What do you say to that elegant method of democracy capture Mr Vish?
Sadly, India is run by family dynasties or one man outfits such as the Kejriwal, Mamta Bannerjee or Mayawati groupings. And voters don’t seem to care. Therein lies the tragedy of democracy in India – there is serious a lack of choice.
As the French philosopher and diplomat Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) said:
“Every country has the government it deserves”
Nobody is imposing Hindi on them, what kind of gasbag idea is this. And as for secularism, sure teach that to Islamists, else become a second Kerala/Kashmir in a decade.
Tamils are originally an ancient culture independent of the Vedic culture. The common man in TN has got absorbed by Vedic culture (spread by priests coming in from the North) gradually over centuries like it happened to most pre-Vedic people in India. But they unlike North India have managed to retain a semblance of their independent identity due to the language. Respect all cultures and identities please. We are a diverse nation.
Nonsense Percussionist !
Hindi is being sneak introduced into the South by the BIMARU centric BJP bhakths and the RSS. The language has to be expunged from all official communications and signage in Southern States. Indeed, opposition to Hindi was greatest in Maharashtra as the Shiv Sena emphasised Marathi in official state business – and rightly so.
I have no opposition to Hindi as a language or Hindi being taught for those who wish to learn it. But Hindi carries baggage and the BJP will only wake up sleeping dogs by emphasising Hindi as it does now. Additionally Hindi is an undeveloped langauge when it comes to the business of running a modern government. For instance, Amit Shah imposed Hindi in the Home Ministry and promptly discovered that even Hindiwalas could not work in Hindi.
And as far as your opposition to secularism, pray tell us what you wish to replace it by. Hindutva ?