‘Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Secessionism are like Siamese Twins’. What else could be expected from the offspring of Justice Party, the grandfather and Dravidar Kazhakam (DK), the father?
Though C.N Annadurai and his friends broke away from DK and formed DMK in 1949 they were fancying about their dreamland of Dravidasthan. ‘Aryan and Dravidian are two distinct races’ is their pet theory and every issue were (are being) interpreted on the basis of this (now proved unscientific) logic.
Annadurai spoke his mind in his maiden speech in Rajya Sabha on May 1, 1962 wherein he introduced himself as “I claim to come from a country … which I think, is of a different stock … I belong to the Dravidian stock. I am proud to call myself a Dravidian.”
He went on further to explain his Utopian idea of forming a separate nation Dravidastan comprising of Madras State, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Thus, he appointed himself as the champion of ‘oppressed and neglected’ southern states. It was Vajpayee ji who stoutly opposed this lethal idea and urged every member to see through the veneer of ‘ideological’ stance.
However, much DMK party men try to hide, their ‘fangs and claws’ do surface frequently in their speeches, writings and actions. Consider the following: Shortly after MK Stalin assuming office of CM on May 2, 2021, within 25 minutes in his Twitter page he reminded himself and his followers his origin of “Dravidian Stock”. (Reincarnation of CNA!),
Started by State Finance Minister, Palanivel Thiagarajan, all of them, right from MK Stalin to party spokespersons in the media, in press briefings, government press releases, official meetings, uniformly call Government of India as “Onriya Arasu – Union government ‘instead of the common usage of ‘Central Government‘.
The HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu made blatantly controversial remarks in a public function held in Sowcarpet – George Town falling in his Harbour constituency. These are the localities where communities hailing from northern states of Bharat live in sizeable numbers. In the above meeting, pointing at the Hindi speaking people, the Minister said, “You are able to carry on your business and flourish because of us (DMK) but you voted for BJP. Member of Parliament elected from this constituency (Harbour Assembly constituency forming part of Central Madras parliamentary constituency) also sharing the same concern once questioned us as to why at all we should care for and try to address their concerns”.
On May 17, DMK government advised its officials to skip the COVID-19 situation review meet of state health secretaries convened by the Central Education Ministry regarding online education and work around the National Education Policy (NEP). The State School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi reiterated his party’s objection to NEP.
State Finance Minister participated in the GST Council meeting on May 28 and spoke. Most part of his speech was political rather than factual. Just read the following sentences: “There is no Centre without the states, increasing concentration of powers with the Centre, deterioration of trust between States and the Centre, driven by a sizeable reduction in share of taxes, perceived lack of “Good Faith”. His assertion of ‘sizeable reduction in share’ is factually incorrect and rest of the statements are mere opinions. Coupled with the tone and tenor, the address evidently displayed the aim of pitting the states against Centre.
BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran questioned the CM in the State Assembly on June 23, about the rationale of their sudden love for the usage of “Onriya Arasu”. MK Stalin cleverly replied that they were using the same in the lines of the Constitution of India (Union of States, India, that is Bharat). He further averred that they would continue to say so in future too. The very same evening the party’s stand was further clarified by Prof. Constantine Ravindran in News 7 TV channel discussion wherein he said, “What our CM Stalin is trying to convey is if all the 30 states decide to secede, there will be no more Indian government.“
Stalin wrote to nine Chief Ministers proposing that all the coastal States and Union Territories oppose the new draft Indian Ports Bill 2021, (The Hindu of June 22, 2021)
“This year Governor of TN did not mention the customary ‘Jai Hind ‘at the end of his address in the Legislative Assembly; it is a proof that Tamil Nadu is now able to hold its head high” said Thiruchengode MLA and Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi leader E.R. Eswaran (Who contested and won in DMK’s symbol of Rising Sun) right on the floor of the Assembly.
“We cannot work with BJP, a party which believes in One Nation, One Language, etc.”, remarked Rajya Sabha member and DMK party spokesperson in an interview given to Tuglak magazine (issue dated June 30).
Thus, DMK has mastered the art of projecting emotional issues to divert public attention to cover up their government’s slips, gross failures and corruption. Right from 1967, they have come to power only by making unrealistic and unfeasible promises and silently retreat throwing the blame on Courts, Central Government and blaming the previous ruling party for leaving the state coffers empty, etc. This is where Secessionist slogans serve as a smokescreen or fig leaf. Though DMK claims to be an ideology-based party, its history is replete with examples of somersaults, U Turns and smart justifications of every decision. We may not take DMK seriously; however, their sinister secessionist propaganda emboldens fringe elements and fissiparous groups. That is what causes concern to a nationalist.
