News Tamil Nadu

ADMK Going The DMK Way? EPS Calls Union Govt As “Ondriya Arasu”, Calls For Release Of Muslim Inmates Including 1998 Coimbatore Blast Convicts

October 10, 2023
The Commune

In a surprising turn of events, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi Palanisami seems to have launched a series of “strategic” manoeuvers, that align his party’s stance with that of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) while courting support from minority communities in Tamil Nadu.

Ondriya Arasu Terminology

In a notable twist, he employed the terminology, “Ondriya Arasu”, which was coined and used by the DMK to denote the Central government. This term carries undertones suggesting that India is a union of states rather than a single, cohesive nation.

On 9 October 2023, the DMK passed a resolution urging the central government to instruct the Congress government in Karnataka to release Cauvery water in compliance with Supreme Court directives. The AIADMK voted in favour of this resolution while the BJP walked out citing that the resolution was incomplete and that it did not mention Congress which was the ruling government in Karnataka. Speaking to the press afterward, EPS stated that the DMK’s separate resolution on Cauvery water was aimed at the “ondriya arasu” (Union government). He said, “They (DMK) have brought about a separate resolution (for Cauvery water release) in the assembly; that was only to urge the “ondriya arasu” (union government)”.

Previously, the AIADMK had criticised the DMK for using “Ondriya Arasu” to address the central government and had supported the BJP. However, this recent shift indicates a significant departure from that stance especially after the AIADMK snapped ties with the BJP. 

Calling For Release Of Coimbatore Blast Convicts

AIADMK, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), has also made a significant commitment to minority rights. Following the party’s split from the BJP, AIADMK raised a calling attention motion over the issue of releasing Muslim prisoners including those who have been convicted for the 1998 Coimbatore Bomb Blasts.

 

The motion called for releasing over 36 Muslim prisoners including the 16 convicts sentenced to life in the 1998 Coimbatore Blasts case on humanitarian grounds considering their long sentences served, old age and health.

Some of the prisoners in question were arrested in connection with the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts, which claimed 58 lives and injured many. 16 convicts, including Baasha from the Al-Umma, received life sentences. Many have spent more than 25 years behind bars, even though numerous calls have been made for their release.

Islamic parties, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) as well as DMK alliance members, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), have been advocating for their release. Protests and demonstrations have been ongoing in Tamil Nadu, emphasising the “plight of these prisoners”. Since the DMK came to power in 2021, the demand for their release has intensified.

This initiative aligns with the DMK government’s earlier efforts to release long-serving prisoners, especially those imprisoned for 20-25 years. The move comes as AIADMK seeks support from Muslim organisations and the broader minority community.

At the AIADMK Golden Jubilee Conference held in Madurai, the AIADMK reportedly decided to fulfill the main demand of the Muslims of Tamil Nadu to release the inmates involved in the 1998 Coimbatore Blast case who have been in jail for more than 20 years.

Seeking Alliance with Minority Parties

During a recent party gathering in Salem, Palanisami urged Muslims to support AIADMK in the upcoming general elections. A video of EPS speaking at the event went viral on social media. EPS said, “Many people from the Muslim community have come here. I would like to point out that ADMK has acted just as you wished. Similarly, you have to ensure that our candidates win the elections. I learned today that many people from the Muslim community reside in this area. You must go to each Muslim’s house and assure them that ADMK will always work towards the safety of the minority community. I am also from this region; I live in Salem, and you can meet me anytime. As far as the ADMK is concerned, just like how the eyelids protect the eyes, ADMK will be the first people to protect the minority communities.”

AIADMK’s recent moves are part of a broader strategy to secure support from minority communities, with a particular focus on forming alliances with Muslim political parties, such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK). Additionally, the party is exploring ties with the influential Dalit political party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

The party’s alignment with DMK’s terminology and its commitment to minority rights are significant developments that may shape the state’s political dynamics in the coming months.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram and WhatsApp and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.