National News

BJP Supporters In Tamil Nadu Express Disappointment With Modi Govt’s Move To Honour Karunanidhi

August 19, 2024
The Commune

BJP supporters in Tamil Nadu expressed disappointment after Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured the late DMK leader Karunanidhi with a centenary coin and praised him. Many BJP loyalists questioned the move, pointing to Karunanidhi’s controversial views on Hinduism. As the BJP strives to expand its influence in the state, this incident has left its supporters wondering if the party is compromising its core values for political gain.

BJP and DMK

In Tamil Nadu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) primarily faces ideological opposition from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The two parties have starkly different approaches: the BJP, under Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasises anti-corruption, opposition to dynastic politics, and resistance to minority appeasement. These principles are contrary to the core tenets of DMK politics in the state.

Since 2014, the BJP has strategically positioned itself to strengthen its presence and has seen some success. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent decision to commemorate the late DMK leader Karunanidhi with a centenary coin did not sit well with BJP supporters and local party cadres.

PM Modi Praised Karunanidhi

Heaping praises on Karunanidhi, PM Modi called him “one of India’s most illustrious sons” and a “multi-talented personality with a prolific pen”.

“It is heartening to learn about the organisation of Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar Centenary Commemorative Coin release ceremony. This is an important occasion to commemorate the centenary of one of India’s most illustrious sons, Thiru Kalaignar Karunanidhi Ji.“, PM Modi said in a letter.

“A multi-talented personality with a prolific pen, Thiru Kalaignar Karunanidhi Ji’s efforts to promote the Tamil language and culture are still remembered by the people. His literary prowess shone through his works and earned him the affectionate title of ‘Kalaignar‘”, said PM Modi.

He also described Karunanidhi as a towering personality in Indian politics, literature, and society. The former CM was passionate about Tamil Nadu’s development and national progress, he said. He added that the release of the commemorative coin honours him and the ideals he stood for.

Netizens Criticize PM Modi

One netizen shared a photo featuring the late Chief Minister Karunanidhi, his son MK Stalin, and other DMK members. The image indirectly depicted a scene from a DMK event where a boy was performing a skit that mocked Hindu culture, dressing like a sage, with the audience—including Karunanidhi and others—laughing and applauding the boy’s performance.

The netizen questioned whether Prime Minister Modi was referring to this “Karunanidhi,” who ridiculed Hindu dharma and culture.

Another netizen questioned whether the recent praise for the DMK indicated the possibility of a no-confidence motion or a reunion similar to the 1998/1999 scenario. He described the late leader as a “towering personality in Indian politics,literature & society who was passionate about Tamil Nadu’s development & national progress adding that the release of the commemorative coin honours him & the ideals he stood for”

Another netizen remarked, “Wow never knew this .. thank you Modi ji for this.. Vote bank politics at full glory.”

Another netizen raged, “What absolute bull f**kin crap He was a buddha pe*v nothing else, Modi won’t get lemurian votes with this he needs to get his shit straight and fire whoever is giving him these ideas.”

Amother netizen wrote, “To get votes they’ll do anything. (Votes ke liye kuch bhi karega)”

Another netizen expressed their views, saying, “One day, he’ll praise Mamata as the daughter Bengal needs. NaMo expects Hindus to accept him praising anti-Hindu and anti-India leaders to fit his ‘Virat’ image. No one disrespects his voters more than NaMo. The Padma Vibhushan awards to Mulayam and Pawar didn’t serve as a lesson.”

Another netizen questioned, “After honoring Sharad Pawar and Mulayam with the Padma Bhushan, and now issuing a commemorative coin for Karunanidhi, it seems like everyone is being honored. You’re trying to include everyone, but why should voters stay loyal to you? What’s the reason behind this?”

Another netizen suggested, “The rumour about TDP is probably true. DMK is now BjPs back up plan.”

Another netizen remarked, “I said this many times. Modi = Gandhi + Nehru + Jinnah + Periyar.”

Another netizen mocked the statements stating, “Next in line : Mamta”

Another netizen mocked, “Hahaha… Voters in Tamil Nadu might align with Modi, but the ‘andhbhakts’ are once again left in the lurch. On a deeper level, both the BJP/Sangh and the DMK share a common anti-Hindu temple-breaking ideology, making them natural allies.”

Another netizen argued that ” they both follow the same ideology. One implemented it in Tamilnadu, and the other is implementing it at the pan-India level.”

Another netizen mockingly queried, “another padma or bharat ratna loading ?”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism extended beyond BJP supporters on social media. It resonated within Tamil Nadu’s political landscape as well.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K. Palanisamy labelled it a “hidden pact” between the ruling DMK and the BJP following the announcement of the centenary coin release.

Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore International Airport, he remarked, “I’ve mentioned this before. There have been claims about a secret relationship between the DMK and BJP, and even our administrators have suggested this. Now, the media is raising the same question, revealing that the BJP and DMK seem to have a covert relationship.”

About Karunanidhi

Karunanidhi, born Dakshinamurthy,  became the DMK president after its founder, CN Annadurai. He was a close follower of anti-Hindu bigot EV Ramasamy Naicker, who was hailed as “Periyar” by his followers.

Karunanidhi has, on several occasions, kept the flame of a separate “Dravida Nadu” alive. He led DMK’s Kovilpatti conference in 1951, outlining plans for a prolonged fight for an independent Dravida Nadu or South India.

During the centenary celebrations of the Dravidian movement in 2012, Karunanidhi asserted that the Dravidian ideology would be strengthened, and a Dravidian State would be achieved if possible.

Karunanidhi’s views on Hinduism

Karunanidhi’s ascension to the top post made the DMK a dynastic party under his family’s stranglehold. Karunanidhi has made several controversial statements regarding Hindus and Hinduism. In one such remark in 2002, he referred to Hindus as ‘thieves’.

At that time, Karunanidhi argued that all he said was that even those who supported the Hindu religion interpreted the word Hindu as a thief. “Maybe it means someone who steals the heart.”, he had said during the controversy.

Karunanidhi had called for the Sethusamudra project, which involves demolishing Ram Setu, which runs from Rameswaram in India to Mannar Island in Sri Lanka.

In 2007 the Sethusamudram project was withdrawn due to technical difficulties of shallow water. Against this backdrop, Karunanidhi rhetorically asked, “Who is this Raman? In which engineering college did he study and become a civil engineer? When did he build this so-called bridge? Is there any evidence for this?”

He also wrote short stories and sometimes employed Hindu deities as characters in his stories, often distorting and misrepresenting them with sexual perversion.

How did Karunanidhi treat his opponents?

Karunanidhi has also abused his political opponents. In several instances where the late former Chief Minister Karunanidhi insulted and mocked Kamaraj. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Karunanidhi mandated that all panchayat council chiefs be addressed as “Perunthalaivar.”

However, this directive was rescinded on 3 April 1987 after MG Ramachandran (MGR) assumed power. Several cartoons mocking Kamarajar (sometimes with racist and casteist insinuations) were published in DMK’s official mouthpiece.

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “towering personality” and “one of India’s illustrious sons”. This unexpected gesture has stirred unease within the party’s local ranks, raising concerns about its message to the BJP supporters in a state where the party has long struggled to gain a foothold.

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