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Appreciations Pour In For Tamil Film Nandhan That Shows The Plight Of TN Panchayat Presidents

The Commune
Appreciations Pour In For Tamil Film Nandhan That Shows The Plight Of TN Panchayat Presidents

Nandhan, is a Tamil film that critically examines the shortcomings of the much-touted Dravidian governance model, a topic that has often been sidelined. After being initially denied a screening in Chennai, the film has now gained recognition following its release on Amazon Prime Video on 11 October 2024, coinciding with the Ayudha Puja celebrations.

Directed by Era Saravanan and featuring Sasikumar in the lead role, “Nandhan” highlights the struggles of marginalized Scheduled Caste communities in Tamil Nadu. It contrasts the ruling Dravidian parties’ promises of social justice with the harsh realities faced by these oppressed groups.

The film avoids the typical Dravidianist narrative where communists and atheists come to the aid of Scheduled Castes while ridiculing Brahmin characters. Instead, it presents a straightforward drama that authentically depicts the realities faced by these communities, immersing viewers in their experiences. As a result, Nandhan has received widespread acclaim from various sectors of society, with political figures such as PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss and BJP State secretary SG Suryah praising the film recently.

In this context, Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah expressed his appreciation through a statement on his official X account, titled, “‘Nandhan’ Questions Federalism at the Centre… Autonomy in the States… Panchayat Autonomy.”

Suryah stated, “The film “Nandhan” has vividly told the problems faced by the Scheduled caste community holding Panchayat positions in Tamil Nadu, how a Dalit leader who gets the vote banks and support of the dominant castes is treated like a puppet without any symbolism or glosses.”

“The film which should have been celebrated on the screen, was chased out of the theater for highlighting the incidents and tragedies during the rule of Dravidian regimes, is the social justice of the Dravidian model government! Director Era Saravanan has not only exposed the attitude of the dictatorial, casteist Dravidian rulers, who were shouting empty slogans of federalism at the center… autonomy at state …autonomy in the panchayats but also has shamed the fake Dravidian organisation that have claimed to promote caste abolition and engaging politics for for over fifty years.” He added

“They say that state powers are taken away by the governor. But is the state government taking away the local authority? One can know about this by asking the Panchayat Council leaders of the ruling party and its alliance party. Even though there are MLA’s and MP’s, Panchayat Council Leaders are the ones who connect with the people,” was the argument put forward by voluntary organisation and Panchayat Council leaders from different areas at the Chennai Press Forum. At the end of the movie, some of the affected Panchayat Council leaders talked about these issues. In Tamil Nadu Local Government Elections, marginalized communities like Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes are denied their rights even after they have won (Panchayat, Panchayat, Municipality, Corporation).” He further added.

He pointed out,

  1. Refusal of other community members to sit in a seat allocated to Scheduled Caste.
  2. In case of a Scheduled Caste Chairman, the Vice Chairman/Executive Officer from another community holding the authority of the Chairman.
  3. Purposefully blacking out, writing in small letters, tarring the name of the scheduled caste leader in the notice board, name board of welfare work.
  4. Intimidation of Scheduled Caste leader to sign illegal projects.
  5. Preventing scheduled caste leaders from hoisting the national flag at public functions and preventing them from attending functions.
  6. Making the scheduled caste leader sit in people’s meetings and imposing the decisions of the meeting on him.
  7. Speaking derogatorily about the caste, profession and ancestors of the Scheduled Caste leader during the council meetings.
  8. Swearing, attacking and threatening to kill the Scheduled Caste leader who does not agree with the trend of the caste dominants.
  9. Making the Scheduled Caste leader, member sit on the floor.

Such actions are going on in Tamil Nadu. Director Era Saravanan has taken it to people from all walks of life through his screenplay with the movie “Nandhan”. According to police statistics, violence against scheduled castes has increased by 40% during the rule of Chief Minister Stalin, who is ruling in name social justice and Dravidian model.”

“While the above statistics are based on the registered criminal cases, this percentage will increase further if the cases that were settled without a formal case at the police station are also taken into account. The situation in Tamil Nadu is that there is no way to get due respect, rights and equality for a representative of the people who belong to the Scheduled castes elected by the Constitution of India. Complaints from various scheduled castes leaders have confirmed that social justice is just in books here. It is a great shame that the Dravidian organisation, even the progressive leftists are not ashamed to shout word for word that the Dravidian model’s achievement… and the movie “Nandhan” has questioned that. Congratulations on this thought-provoking work,” he added.

In this context, PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss also posted a message stating that, “I watched Nandhan movie directed by journalist Era Saravanan and starring actor Sasikumar on Amazon Prime. The movie Nandhan talks about the black history of social justice, that even if the law opens the gates of local bodies for Nandhans, those who oppose social justice close them. Government and society should ensure the rights of Scheduled Castes in local bodies”

The film also received praise from the chief coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Seeman. On his official X handle, he wrote, “The film ‘Nandhan’, which is like a yam plucked from politics and life, sounds like a battle cry for social justice. For those who failed to watch ‘Nandhan’ on screen, you must watch it on Amazon Prime ODT site. As a story, as a field, as a revolutionary thought that makes you understand the current politics, the film ‘Nandan’ will surely thrill each and every one of you. #நந்தன் is a wonderful film that we all should support.”

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