பிற இதழிலிருந்து...

 "டைம்ஸ் ஆப் இந்தியா" நாளிதழுக்கு தமிழர் தலைவர் கி.வீரமணி சிறப்பு பேட்டி

Jaya Menon@timesgroup.com

As he steps into his 90th year on December 2, Periyar’s most devout disciple and Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani continues the fight for social justice and against Hindutva proponents. In an interview to TOI, Veeramani insists that Periyar (DK founder E V Ramasamy) and his ideals have more relevance today. He dubbed RSS a Trojan Horse and blamed theBJP for the AIADMK rift and calls it a puppet show with the puppeteer sitting in Delhi.

* Has Periyar lost social relevance in modern-day life and politics?

He has more relevance now among youths, not only in TN, but across the globe too. The fundamentalists’ hands are being strengthened and the only weapon youngsters seek is Periyar.He is not an individual, but an institution, the embodiment of uncompromising principles. He has more relevance today with his followers fighting religious atrocities, fundamentalism and fascism.

* Do you agree with the perception that it is the DMK that is fighting to preserve Periyar’s ideals rather than the DK?

It is the other way around. It is because of Periyar that the Dravidian ideology is being propagated. It is not a question of putting the cart before the horse or the horse before the cart. Chief minister M K Stalin is enthusiastic in upholding and spreading the Dravidian legacy like the earlier leaders.

* Is the RSS in TN trying to push aside Periyarism and Dravidian ideology?

They are trying their best, but they are not succeeding.The enlightened know RSS is a Trojan Horse. Tamil Nadu is aware of Periyar’s movement. RSS cannot leave its footprints here. They want to steal all that is in the Dravidian supermarket, including Tamil language, and use it for their own ends. Theirs is only wishful thinking.

* Is there concern about growing radicalisation of Islam in TN?

DK is a humanist movement. We will never support religion or terrorism. Rationalism is above religion and caste. We are against germs. We have to go deep into reasons and kill the germs. Let us fight ideological battles, not personal fights.

* Do you think BJP will succeed in TN?

BJP is the political wing of the RSS. They win by horse trading.They don’t believe in democratic ways. They can win in places like Karnataka, not in TN, the land of Periyar, of social justice and rationalism. People here vote for a Dravidian party. That is the history of more than 50 years. The secular front is powerful. Even

within the AIADMK, people do not want an alliance with the BJP.The BJP may have money power, media power and muscle power,but the mind power is ours.

* For both the AIADMK and the DMK, the DK is the ideological backbone. Who does the DK prefer?

We are the mother organisation for both. The DMK is closer to the DK because ideologically they run with us. The AIADMK is not so close ideologically. They don’t know the history of the Dravidian movement.

* So, is the mother favouring one child?

Not favouring. The mother is guiding the children. Some children want to fight withthe mother, loyalty should be with the mother. When the leadership changes (referring to the AIADMK), they forget their mother.You honoured former AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa with the title Samooga Neethi Kaatha Veeranganai (Warrior of social justice).

* Do you see any new torch bearer for social justice on the horizon?

There is no change in that. Jayalalithaa contributed immensely to TN getting 69% reservation. I guided her. She was instrumental in getting the TN Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institution and of appointments or posts in the Services under the State) Bill, 1993,introduced. She pushed for the Act to be brought under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, to ensure it could not be challenged in court and got the President’s assent. The DK carries the torch of Periyar. We welcome anybody who wishes to carry it with us.

* Dravidianism Vs Tamil nationa lism emerged after the 2021 assembly election. Is the Dravidian Vs Hindutva war getting more intense now?

This is an artificial, invidious distinction. Dravidian nationalism includes Tamil nationalism. Whereas, Dravidianism and Hindutva are poles apart. Ideologically, Dravidianism stands for ‘no caste’. Everybody is equal. Equality before law and equal opportunities for all. The name Dravidian was officially given by Periyar. 

How would you assess the AIADMK’s strength in the company of the BJP?

The BJP is responsible for the division within the AIADMK. It’s a puppet show. And the puppeteer is in Delhi. 

* What is your view on the leadership tussle within the AIADMK?

Leadership should not be imposed. It must emanate and command. Cadres should be ready to follow the leader. As John Ruskin says in his book Unto This Last, ‘We do not sell our Prime Ministership by dutch-auction’. Their plight is because of a lack of ideology.

* Does V K Sasikala stand a chance?

She claims to be a leader. At one point, she could muster support. But she lost that opportunity. Now there is no scope for her. 

* What is the difference you see in the anti-Hindi protest that Periyar launched and now?

The enemies were strong and ideologically honest then. They stuck to their convictions. But here, the enemies (those who impose Hindi) are cunning. They want to impose a Sanskrit culture, which is an alien, Aryan culture for us. Hindi imposition will be dangerous.

* So, the DK too has joined the war against governor R N Ravi?

We are just pointing out his dereliction of duty. He has converted Raj Bhavan into an RSS Bhavan.

* What’s the succession plan for DK?

This question was raised even during Periyar, that after him there would be no one. Only Periyar recognised my capability. There are many youths, student wing leaders, women wing leaders, three general secretaries. This is not a political party, it is a movement,which will go on for ever.