Is Tamil Nadu Paranoid Over the BJP?

The recent Rath Yatra raked up a storm in TN – is it merely BJP paranoia or a sign of its inroads into the state?

DMK’s supremo M K Stalin’s recent ruckus over the Ratha Yatra could be read as the Dravidian parties’ paranoia over an RSS/BJP/Sanghi takeover. But are the people of Tamil Nadu paranoid over Hindutva as well? And is the AIADMK really a puppet of the BJP, as almost every politician in Tamil Nadu claims?

Also, can the BJP really be taken seriously in Tamil Nadu?

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Let the Yatra Begin

The Ram Rajya Rath Yatra, which was flagged off by the VHP in Ayodhya a few weeks earlier passed through UP, MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala without any hustle. In fact, what must be noted is that it didn’t receive any noticeable mention in the media either. Until the convoy arrived in Tamil Nadu on 19 March.

The agenda of the ‘Ram Rajya Rath Yatra’, was to mobilise support for a temple for Lord Ram in Ayodhya, and thereby establish a ‘Ram Rajya’, which is seen by Dravidian ideologues as the revival of the book of Manu, and a caste-based society.

According to The New Indian Express, over 3,400 arrests were made across 57 locations in Chennai alone, in addition to 300 more across the state, in connection with protests against the Rath Yatra. The AIADMK govt drew flak for allowing the Yatra to enter TN.

This Rath Yatra is a ‘Raktha’ (blood) Yatra. I don’t know if this is the AIADMK regime or the BJP regime. 

Seeman, Nam Tamilar Katchi

One of the accusations that the DMK, VCK and other opposition parties mounted on the ruling AIADMK, was that they were propagating communal divide, and acting as pawns of the BJP. Herein lies part of the reason for this fear.

Let’s look at an earlier incident, for a broader picture.

An Older Example of Paranoia

Two months ago, around the end of the Tamil month of Margazhi, the famous poet and film lyricist Vairamuthu spoke on the female Vaishnavite Saint, Andal (8th Century), at a gathering of theists.

Why was Vairamuthu, an atheist of the Dravidian ideology called to address a religious gathering?

Vaishnavite and Saivite saints have contributed extensively to Tamil literature across more than 1500 years. Vairamuthu, was to profess his appreciation for the Vaishnavite Saint Andal’s Tamil writings. He went as a litterateur.

Instead, he cited false references to prove that Andal was a Devadasi (loosely translated prostitute), who sought and attained sexual freedom through her writings.

Tamil Nadu split into two sides; One, in support of Vairamuthu’s right to speak his mind on the matter. The other, demanding an apology, or at least, a retraction, since his references – let alone opinions on Andal – were factually wrong.

Vairamuthu was subject to repeated personal attacks on social media, in the form of crass comments and personal attacks, specifically aimed at the female members of his family.

Anti-brahmin, and Dravidian supporters too, further insulted Andal, and other Vaishnavite saints, in support of Vairamuthu.

In a Tamil language talk show, Dravidian ideologue Suba Veerapandian said something that significantly furthers one’s understanding of the anti-BJP sentiment in Tamil Nadu.

The issue is not about Vairamuthu or Andal, or even about the Hindu religion. It is a concerted attack by the Brahmins on the non-Brahmins.

Suba Veerapandian, Kelvikkenna Bathil, to Thanthi TV on 20 January 2018

By ‘Brahmins’, he meant the BJP and the RSS.

All of the voices against Vairamuthu, are now considered politically motivated anti-Dravidian propaganda. And so the entire issue took a political turn.

DMK’s Stalin spoke out in support of Vairamuthu.

AIADMK’s spokesperson asked Vairamuthu to apologise.

This incident, followed by the disfigurement of Periyar’s statue, and the subsequent Rath Yatra, led to the impression that the AIADMK is the BJP’s southern arm.

AIADMK on Tenterhooks

Despite the fact that EPS and OPS currently run the show, the AIADMK is still perceived as headless, due to Jayalalithaa’s demise.

The AIADMK has to play it safe, to stay in power and keep up a functional government, for as long as possible.

The court’s decision against the 18 defecting MLAs is due any moment now. Regardless of which way the scales will swing, the government is sure to fall.

If the court upholds the speaker’s decision to expel the MLAs, it would result in a by-election, which the AIADMK will definitely lose, thanks to the ominous presence of TTV Dhinakaran.

If the court decides to reinstate the MLAs, the parliamentary elections due next year will see a free-for-all with Dhinakaran’s faction, the DMK, Rajinikanth (possibly) and Kamal’s Makkal Needhi Maiam, all vying for a piece of the pie.

Either ways, the AIADMK’s days are numbered. In such dire straits, it is logical for EPS and OPS to stay non-controversial and appease the ruling BJP.

The DMK and it’s allies’ claim, that the AIADMK is a Sanghi pawn, is taking it a bit too far.

The DMK is under equal pressure, since there’s really no possibility of a clear victory anymore. This feeling is fueled and stoked by most local Tamil media reports, which broadcast predominantly anti-brahmin, anti-Hindi and anti-sanskrit ideologies and arguments. Hence, the BJP paranoia.

Will the BJP Come to Power in Tamil Nadu?

There has been no visible ground work in Tamil Nadu, by the BJP.

In contrast, the BJP’s strategy in the North East, in which the party micro-managed the elections right up to the booth and individual seat level, is being replicated by them in Karnataka. Clearly they have a winning, executable formula. Inroads are being made into Kerala too, where BJP’s O Rajagopal said the party would be targeting Christian votes.

It is clear, therefore, that Amit Shah’s eye is not on Tamil Nadu yet, and that it is not possible to turn the tide for the 2021 elections.

As of today, H Raja and Thamizhisai Soundarrajan, the two BJP faces of TN are little more than embarrassments, who find their way more frequently into memes than on the news.

The real question though is: is Tamil Nadu really ‘Dravidian’ (anti-Hindi, anti-religion, anti-north) in thought?

People Vs Dravidian Politics

The AIADMK, under MGR, had by far the most successful reigns in TN politics, in terms of public opinion. It was halted only by MGR’s death.

MGR often highlighted his solidarity with Annadurai (Hence, Anna DMK), and not Periyar, because the AIADMK was never anti-religion.

The DMK continues to profess Periyar’s atheistic stance as the core value of the party, though there are fewer and fewer takers for this, even within the party. Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi’s statement, that her father (M Karunanidhi) is not as anti-religion as he used to be; the openly religious bearings of the DMK’s MLAs, all point to a dilution of ideology.

The AIADMK, on the other hand, has openly been theistic, pro-temple culture from the beginning. Because of this, and owing to the fact that Jayalalithaa was a Brahmin by birth, it is often touted as an upper-caste party by the DMK.

This is why an alignment of sorts, between the AIADMK and the BJP is easy to imagine.

Historically speaking though, the AIADMK and the BJP was never in alliance. It was only the DMK which allied with the BJP (NDA, to be specific) in 1999, to win the elections and rule for five years.

Rajinikanth Addendum

Across media reports, the DMK has given out a lackadaisical air about Rajinikanth. It appears they don’t take him seriously.

But, at the ground level, the kind of support he has, from his fans and from TN’s hinterlands, is unreal. Although it’s nowhere near MGR’s deification, but mass adoration for Rajini comes a close second.

Also, the DMK has wooed Rajinikanth many times before, holding aloft his feud with Jayalalithaa as an invitation. It won’t be the last time they call to him, despite his overtly spiritual (religious) stand. If he chooses to go for it alone (which is most likely), DMK will smear him with BJP’s colour and harp on his non-Tamil roots. Considering the general disillusionment with the DMK-AIADMK binary among the people, this may not affect the outcome greatly.

While Rajini may not ally with the BJP, he might represent what a majority of Tamil voters wish for – some kind of Hindu unity.

And should he win, he might just be what the BJP needs – a favourably inclined state government.