Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has criticized the ruling DMK’s claim of championing Tamil identity, revealing that key Tamil leaders of the Justice Party’s revival in 1944 wanted to rename it as “Tamilar Kazhagam.” However, E.V. Ramasamy (EVR) and C.N. Annadurai pushed for “Dravidar Kazhagam” to maintain political relevance.
Speaking at a public meeting in Trichy on 23 March 2025, organized by the Tamil Nadu BJP to discuss the new education policy, Annamalai recounted the events of the 1944 Salem conference, where efforts were made to revive the Justice Party after its decline. He stated that prominent leaders such as Thiyabe Viswanathan Pillai, Soundarapandian Nadar, novelist Somasundara Bharathi, and Annal Thango proposed renaming the party as “Tamilar Kazhagam” to better represent Tamil identity and discard the broader “Dravidian” label.
He said, “In 1944, a major conference was held in Salem. What kind of conference was it? A conference to restore the Justice Party. The Justice Party which had lost power. At this conference, K. A. P. Viswanatham Pillai, Periyar, Annadurai, Soundarapandia Nadar, Navalar Somasundara Bharathi, and Annal Thango were present. These were all great leaders. Everyone came together at the conference to name it. They decided to start a new party and restore the Justice Party. The name they chose to the party was ‘Tamilar Kazhagam.’ That’s the name.”
Despite this, only two individuals—Periyar and Annadurai—insisted on the name “Dravidar Kazhagam.” Annamalai argued that this decision was not rooted in genuine Tamil nationalism but rather in a strategic move to sustain political influence. He also criticized the DMK’s inconsistency, accusing them of selectively invoking Tamil identity while operating under the broader Dravidian banner.
Annamalai remarked, “Periyar objected, stating, ‘If we name it Tamilar Kazhagam, we will be forced to pack up. Instead, we name it Dravidar Kazhagam. Only then can we play politics.’ In 1944, Mr. K. A. P. Viswanatham Soundarapandia Nadar, Somasundara Bharathi, and Annal Thango firmly insisted on naming it Tamilar Kazhagam. Only two people spoke in the meeting saying they did not want the name Tamilar Kazhagam, and suggested naming it Dravidian Kazhagam. Those two people were Periyar and Perarignar Anna.All this is history. So, if they want Dravidian, then it will be Dravidian. If they do not want it, then they will say Tamilian. I am telling the DMK leaders to either stand on that side or the other, but if you stay in the middle, you will be hit by a truck and die. When they call all the CMs, it’s the Dravidian race, but when they teach the language, it’s the Tamil race. We are watching this drama.”
ஒரு நாள் திராவிட இனம் என்பார்கள், ஒரு நாள் தமிழ் இனம் என்று மக்களை மாற்றி மாற்றி ஏமாற்றுவார்கள். காலையில் தமிழர் கழகம் மாலையில் திராவிடர் கழகமாக மாறிய வரலாறு – திருச்சி பொதுக் கூட்டத்தில் இன்று தலைவர் @annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/KjvXxqgFbL
— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) March 23, 2025
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