Famous Tamil lyricist Thamarai, who is known for her collaboration with film maker Gautham Vasudev Menon and Music Director Harris Jayaraj, came down heavy on those staying silent about the sexual harassment of self-proclaimed activists like Mugilan and her husband ‘Thiyagu’. (read virtue signallers championing as flagbearers as women right) on her Facebook page
In her facebook post she called out the hypocrisy of the Dravidian ideology sympathizers when it came to sexual harassment of women where the harasser is a member of the same ilk.
“News of sexual harassment / violence against women has been a recurring theme in Tamil Nadu for the past few days. PSBB school is the one that has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The school, which appears to be traditional and prestigious in the society, is in shambles. The event was brought to light after an alumnus posted about sexual harassment about a teacher on the internet. It’s commendable that the government’s apparatus moved quickly. Rajagopalan, the teacher and the accused, has been jailed! What a quick reaction! I certainly welcome it. Greetings to the Minister of School Education and the Police Department! However, we must consider how they behaved when a complaint was filed from another segment?” she wrote.
“How did the media, society, government, political parties and feminist activists react to the sexual assault complaint of 13 women, including Chinmayi, on popular songwriter Vairamuthu three years ago? Chinmayi was viciously abused only because she was a Brahmin. Her career in the film industry was completely ruined as a result of exposing Vairamuthu. In her case, justice is still to be served.” she further added.
Thamarai pointed out the instance where a self-proclaimed ‘activist’ named ‘Comrade’ Mugilan had sexually assaulted a woman named Isai and staged a drama trying to play the victim card.
“Mugilan, a well-known ‘activist’ is another example. He deceived a woman called Isai sexually and then staged a ‘kidnapping’ sequence to get away from her. Tamil Nadu media and political parties were in a frenzy as he went missing! After the victim filed an official complaint and a case was filed, the he was tracked down and arrested. Now out on bail he has started the ‘Porali’ (activism) business again.
She also lashed out at Dravidian ideologue Suba Veerapandian (Suba Vee) and her ex-husband Thiyagu who also have been accused of sexual harassment.
“‘Comrade’ Thiyagu, a competent and pioneer ‘Porali’ better than Mugilan, has sexually harassed many who came to him for work and help. Suba Vee, the well-educated genius, is a ‘crook’ as everyone knows! But what happened? I was left in the middle of the road with my child. When I was stranded on the road, where were the ‘Kalanjiyams’ and ‘Nakkheerars’, who now talk vociferously, go?”, she asked.
Thiyagu left Thamarai and her twelve year old son Samaran about in November 2014. She had staged various protests accusing her husband of sexual harassment but it never got media traction.
“What is the difference between Rajagopalans and Vairamuthu, Thiyagu, Mugilan? You will thrash a scoundrel if he is Brahmin but move away if he is Dravidian is it?” she asked in her post.
“It is very difficult for women who have been affected to come out and speak up. However, the criticism of ‘Poralis’ is dependent on the caste, religion, colour, place, and position of the women who raise it!”, she said.
She also lashed out at people saying that those affected should go to the police and get justice in courts instead of calling out them in public. “Any clown who calls for such an action has no idea what it’s like wander to the police station and dry up in court. I want them to go to police station and court registering a case from their own home! Chinmayi, who filed a valid complaint, is still struggling today, while another victim, Isai, is facing a life-threatening situation. It is a waste of time and energy, as well as a harassment in itself.”, she said.
She said that in cases of a sexual harassment one must support the victims regardless of caste, religion, social standing, position, wealth, etc. She likened the ‘Poralis’ to chameleons who only speak up after learning about the victims’ caste, religion, social rank, and so on.
“When the perpetrators get to live their lives to the fullest, strolling around in public without shame, the victim is left disturbed, uncomfortable, unhealthy, and scared for their lives.” Thamarai said.
“Because I witnessed all of this tragedy in the case of Thiyagu eight years ago, I have fully disassociated myself from politics and public life. I stood far enough away that no one could approach me. I still say those who are influential cannot be punished legally, but can be socially punished. The society should spit in their face. When they come out of the house, the only sound they should hear is people spitting at them. I am still waiting for the right time to expose people like Thiyagu, Subavi, and Mugilan. I have all the evidence. The truth does not sleep. Beware!”, Thamarai concluded and added a post script saying that to her ‘Jayendrar’ (Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal), former head of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaat P. Jainulabdeeen and Father Thomas (the convict in Sister Abhaya case) are all the same.
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