As Tamil Nadu heads toward 2026 Assembly elections, the DMK appears to be sharpening its ideological messaging: one that glorifies only its chosen icons like former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and EV Ramasamy Naicker (also known Periyar to his followers), while discrediting any other influential political figures from Tamil Nadu’s history. The strategy is unmistakable: highlight the party’s own leaders while systematically diminishing the legacy of others. And yet, throughout this effort, the DMK avoids taking direct accountability preferring instead to let its functionaries, sympathizers, and allies do the heavy lifting.
A noticeable pattern has emerged, the DMK or its affiliates often launch verbal attacks or controversy-triggering remarks precisely when other popular leaders are being remembered by the public. For example, on 15 July 2025, as the state commemorated K. Kamaraj’s birth anniversary, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva stoked outrage by making disparaging claims about him. Similar patterns are visible whenever AIADMK invokes the legacies of MG Ramachandran (MGR) or J. Jayalalithaa; either senior DMK leaders or fringe functionaries step in with dismissive or mocking comments.
At the grassroots level too, party workers like Sivaji Krishnamurthy are routinely seen disparaging non-DMK leaders while elevating Karunanidhi or Periyar, often reframing Tamil Nadu’s development as if it solely originated from the DMK lineage.
Consistent Disrespect for K. Kamaraj
Karu Palaniappan’s Political Revisionism
On 25 July 2025, during an event at a government school in Dindigul district, Leftist-Dravidian Director Karu Palaniappan stirred controversy by questioning the commemoration of former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister, K. Kamarajar. He criticized the way Kamaraj was credited for educational milestones, implying such acknowledgments were politically motivated.
Palaniappan sarcastically suggested that only minimal achievements were attributed to Kamaraj while larger contributions by subsequent DMK governments were framed vaguely under the term “Tamil Nadu Government.” He labeled this as a “political game,” conveniently highlighting some names while leaving others anonymous, hinting at an orchestrated narrative to sustain the Kamaraj legacy at the cost of DMK leaders.
He said, “If you see in the paper, all the special features mentioned about this particular school. These things were done only for this school, not across all of Tamil Nadu, only for this school. But how is it mentioned? It says, ‘The Merur hut building was inaugurated in 1963 by Kakkan, who was a minister during Kamarajar’s rule.’ Just for one school. But then, in the 2024-25 academic year, to bring out the unique talents of students, the Kalai Thiruvizha was started by the Tamil Nadu government across the whole of Tamil Nadu. Right? Here, the hut school building that came up was during Kamarajar’s time. Then again, in 1980, what started as a primary school was upgraded to a middle school. By whom? By the Tamil Nadu government. And then in 2010, it became a higher secondary school with modern facilities. By whom? By the Tamil Nadu government. But in 1963, who built the hut building? It was during Kamarajar’s rule. That’s it. This is the politics. Either you say ‘by the Tamil Nadu government’ for everything, or you say ‘during MGR’s rule,’ ‘Jayalalithaa’s rule,’ ‘Karunanidhi’s rule,’ ‘Stalin’s rule’ for everything. If we understand that, we’ll understand development. It’s a huge political game to mention names only when it’s convenient, and then just say ‘Tamil Nadu government’ when it’s not.”
Tiruchi Siva’s Questionable Tribute
In July 2025, DMK MP Tiruchi N. Siva made a bizarre claim that before his death, Kamaraj supposedly held Karunanidhi’s hand and urged him to “save the country and democracy.” Siva went on to tarnish Kamaraj’s reputation by claiming that the man widely admired for his simplicity could not sleep without air-conditioning an anecdote he attributed to Karunanidhi.
Speaking at the DMK meeting, Tiruchi Siva said, “Similarly, when I was around 23 or 24, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) would take me in his car and recount some events. Some people would question why he was telling these things to a young kid. But he knew I would speak about them in public meetings and convey them effectively to the people. He would tell me many such stories. One day, he told me this, ‘Kamarajar has organized condemnation meetings all over Tamil Nadu against electricity shortage. Kamarajar would get an allergy if he didn’t have air conditioning. So, he (Karunanidhi) ordered that all the visitors’ bungalows where he stayed be equipped with air conditioning. Even though he (Kamaraj) was speaking against him, considering his health, I made sure all those bungalows had air conditioning.”
R.S. Bharathi’s Derogatory Remarks
In October 2022, RS Bharati at an event said, “Supreme Leader Kamaraj said he would cut off the thumb of DMK members. But it was us who built his grave. No Congressmen did that. To date, everyone is worshiping in the grave we built for Kamaraj.” “I’m sorry. I’m just telling history. I don’t mean to hurt anyone,” he said.
Rajiv Gandhi’s Misinformation
At a DMK student wing event in 2024, , the then student wing president, Rajiv Gandhi distorted historical facts, diminishing Kamaraj’s contribution to public education by crediting EVR instead. According to him, Kamaraj merely reopened schools closed by Rajaji, and even those actions were apparently orchestrated under the guidance of EVR. This is a typical tactic relocating every major accomplishment outside of the non-DMK sphere and attributing it to DMK ideologues.
He stated, “After Rajaji, Kamaraj came and announced, “I’ll open schools.” It is important to note that Kamaraj did not open the schools with his funds. Rajaji closed 2500 schools that the Justice party opened. He is a good man. How is he a good man? A good man who said no to toddy shops. But if he is educated, he will find another type of addiction. If he studies, he will come into authority and become arrogant. Kamaraj only reopened the schools that were shut down by Rajaji, who hindered the addiction and progress of mankind. Only after reopening the closed school did Kamaraj earn his name as ‘the eye-opener of education’. It is important to note that he did not use his money to reopen the schools; the comrade has documented this fact well. What is even more important is what happened after he reopened the schools. Look around your towns and see the colleges – if the asset of education is now with us, it is because of the efforts of a man named Periyar.”
He then peddled the narrative citing Periyarists and Dravidian leaders who assert that every action taken by Kamaraj was at the direction of E.V. Ramasamy (EVR), including the establishment of elementary schools within a 5 km radius and later colleges in towns.
Targeting M.G. Ramachandran (MGR)
If you thought they stopped at Kamarajar, you are wrong. They extended it to former TN chief minister MG Ramachandran too.
DMK MP A. Raja
In 2024, DMK MP A. Raja ignited controversy after a video resurfaced showing him calling MGR a “loose” (idiot), dismissing him as undeserving of respect. Despite MGR’s towering legacy and mass popularity, Raja claimed he had no regard for him, suggesting MGR lacked the dignity even a “white man” would show towards the nation.
In a short video clip, extensively shared on social media, featured a speech by A Raja in which he expressed his lack of respect for MGR, stating, “Let me tell you one thing, look back at history and that’s why I don’t respect MGR… I don’t respect him, kalaingar too will say he is my friend. You keep him as your friend. A white man who is an outsider had the magnanimity to respect the dignity of our country but the idiot MGR didn’t have that”.
Dravidianist director Ameer Sultan
In May 2024, Dravidianist director Ameer Sultan stirred public backlash by casting doubt on the title “Puratchi Thalaivar” (Revolutionary Leader) bestowed upon former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and iconic actor Dr. M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). His remarks, made during a press conference, have triggered a wave of criticism across social media platforms.
While speaking at the promotional event of film Uyir Thamizhukku, he questioned whether MGR, though affectionately called Makkal Thilagam (People’s Leader), truly deserved the more weighty title of Puratchi Thalaivar. “Revolution is not something ordinary,” Ameer said, implying that MGR’s legacy, while impactful, did not align with what he considers true revolutionary ideals.
“There are people who brought real revolutions to the world. Using the term ‘revolutionary leader’ loosely devalues the word itself,” he stated, clarifying that his comments were not part of the film’s content but were part of a broader discussion on how titles and honors are conferred. He added that accolades should be earned through genuine merit, not purchased or awarded based on political convenience.
Disparaging J. Jayalalithaa
Former TN chief minister J Jayalalithaa was derogated several times, probably because she was a woman and a Brahmin one at that.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s Derogatory Innuendos
MK Stalin, both in opposition and in power, has made several controversial remarks targeting the late J. Jayalalithaa. In one instance, he suggested she was obsessed with Karunanidhi, triggering applause through a deliberately suggestive comment.
Stalin stated in a public gathering, “Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) wrote in Murasoli that Jayalalitha always thinks about him, both at day and night.” Understanding the intended context (at night Jayalalitha thinks about Kalaignar) of MK Stalin, the audience cheered him. He continued, “You will accuse Karunanidhi for everything? (Addressing JJ in the singular) You frequently visit Kodanadu for rest; is Karunanidhi responsible for it?”
On another occasion, he described her as “a lady… with glamour” and questioned her administrative capabilities. Speaking at a Gram Sabha meeting, then opposition leader MK Stalin said, “Whether Jayalalitha did her work after coming to power is questionable. She was a lady…with glamour… has been running the government”
During election campaigns, Stalin resorted to double entendre, mocking the stage setups of Jayalalithaa’s rallies in a sexually charged tone that drew widespread criticism. MK Stalin said, “When Narendra Modi sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, you (Jayalalitha) went there to greet him. Likewise, when you (JJ) sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Modi came here to greet you.” MK Stalin then used a movie dialogue to describe Modi and Jayalalitha’s relationship, stating that they looked at each other like two male and female (lovers) look at each other through their eyes. He continued, “Therefore I claim that both ADMK and BJP have secret affair (Alliance)… That too an illegal affair.”
Speaking in front on women MK Stalin said, “If I continue to stand here, I feel like seeing the faces of women here. I want to be honest with you. I feel like standing here for more time and keep stalking at all your faces. He has hit two mangoes with one stone. Don’t think of anything else when I say mango.”
During the 2016 election campaign, MK Stalin made sexual innuendos about then-CM Jayalalithaa and the ADMK candidates, claiming that “Their campaign stages will have multiple levels at different heights. Jayalalitha used to sit on the top level of the stage while the candidates were seated below her in the bottom level…Jayalalitha on top and the candidates below…(Stalin laughs)..I am just saying… nothing else.”
RS Bharathi’s Remarks About Jayalalithaa’s Grave
At a public event, R.S. Bharathi not only insulted MGR but also took pride in claiming he had Jayalalithaa imprisoned. He suggested someone should “wake her up from her samadhi” to verify the claim a statement that lacked both decency and dignity.
Speaking at an event held in Ambattur in Chennai, DMK leader R.S. Bharthi said that the current regime of Edappadi K. Palaniswami would end in two new moons. “He has forgotten with whose help, this dog, this man sat on the CM’s chair. Those who kick the ladder that they used for climbing up has never met a good end. I would say even MGR is also like that. MGR was nurtured and made into a leader by this movement. But you know what happened when he betrayed. He passed away without being able to speak.”, RS Bharathi said. He also said that it was he who sent Jayalalithaa to jail in TANSI case. “Go wake her up from the samadhi [memorial] and ask”, he added. He also added, “Recently, Jayalalithaa’s memorial hall was opened on January 27. They gave ₹40,000 per bus from all over Tamil Nadu. They gave ₹2000 to those who boarded the bus. They picked them up and dropped them off at Marina Beach. Edappadi and OPS thought that the whole crowd would come to the Jayalalithaa memorial. But the crowd thought, instead of visiting that ‘moodhevi’ (a derogatory slang in Tamil), they visited Kalaignar’s [Karunanidhi’s] memorial”.
DMK Functionary Sujatha’s Casteist Mockery
Salem-based DMK member Sujatha took a casteist jab at Jayalalithaa by calling her “Papathi,” a derogatory term aimed at Brahmin women, mimicking her voice to provoke laughter and diminish her memory. Sujatha said mockingly, “Honourable Speaker, I’m a Papathi—you cannot change (atavum mudiyathu) or destroy me.”
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan
Even VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, speaking at a DMK event, expressed frustration that MGR and Jayalalithaa weren’t criticized as harshly as Karunanidhi, accusing them of enabling “Brahminism” into Dravidian politics. Yet, paradoxically, he admitted that their dominance helped keep national parties like BJP and Congress from gaining ground ironically crediting them for preserving Tamil Nadu’s regional political identity.
He said, “A national party benefitted by the emergence of MGR. MGR criticized Kalaignar, sowed the seeds for hate politics, was responsible for infiltrating Brahminism into the Dravidian movement, and even though there are criticisms that he paved the way for a Brahmin woman to become the leader of the Dravidian movement, one advantage that came out of it is that – national parties were prevented from gaining a foothold here.”
He further said, “This political environment, whether DMK or AIADMK, continued for more than 50 years. The Congress was not allowed to grow here, and more importantly, the BJP did not gain a foothold. Although there are many reasons, if the Congress had gained strength here, the BJP would have grown against it. Because, where there is a national party, the BJP will easily reach the same position as the Congress. People do not compare with state parties; they will compare only with national parties. The rise of MGR is one reason why the Congress did not gain strength here and has shrunk. The political contest here was whether it is MGR or Kalaignar, later changed to Jayalalithaa-Kalaignar. But Kalaignar has always been the central point, the central politics – This is the politics of Tamil Nadu.”
The Bigger Picture: Control the Narrative, Rewrite the Past
What emerges is a consistent effort to protect the ideological bubble around EVR and Karunanidhi, even as it means discrediting other towering figures in Tamil Nadu’s history. Be it by spreading half-truths, twisting historical records, or resorting to mockery, DMK’s ecosystem seems determined to rewrite the state’s political legacy to favor a singular narrative.
This strategy is not accidental it is calculated. Whether it’s through orchestrated speeches, student wing events, or convenient anecdotes, the intent remains the same: to dominate Tamil Nadu’s historical discourse by elevating their own and erasing or ridiculing the rest.
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