Actress Kasthuri Shankar has blasted the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu for promoting a divisive ideology that incites hate and abuse against Hindus, particularly targeting the Brahmin community through name-calling and ridicule. Her fierce speech took place during a recent protest rally organized by Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK) Chief Arjun Sampath. The rally called for the creation of legislation to safeguard the Brahmin community, akin to the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act that exists for Scheduled Caste communities. This event on 3 November 2024, at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, was a response to the rising hate speech and hostility directed at Brahmins in the state by Dravidianist and other anti-Hindu elements.

Kasthuri began her speech by thanking IMK Chief Arjun Sampath for organizing the protest to protect and support the Brahmin community, as well as expressing gratitude to the members of other communities who attended to show their solidarity. She then shared her experiences in her profession, revealing that despite being a well-known actress and a skilled orator, she has been repeatedly excluded from TV debates and discussions. She alleged that television networks deny her participation due to pressure from above, highlighting the systemic obstacles she faces.

Kasthuri then criticized the Dravidianist agenda in films, pointing out how they fail to overcome existing lobbies. She referenced a scene from the movie “Pariyerum Perumal”, acknowledging it as a good film but criticizing a particular moment where a man sits with his shirt open in a bar, in order to specifically show that he is a Brahmin by focusing on the sacred thread (janeu). She argued that this was a deliberate attempt to ridicule Brahmins, as she noted there were no similar depictions of religious symbols from other communities, such as a man wearing a Taqiyah (Muslim skullcap) or a Christian depicted with a cross. She emphasized that this scene served no relevance to the film’s narrative and was merely intended to mock the Brahmin community.

Actress Kasthuri said, “There is a bar scene in “Pariyerum Perumal” where the hero, a young man from the Scheduled Caste, goes to drink in an attempt to resolve his depression for once. In that scene, everyone is drinking, but only one person is shown without a shirt. Why is that? It’s to highlight the sacred thread (janeu). As I watched, I looked around the bar, if anyone else was depicted wearing a skullcap, a cross, or any other community symbols. But there was no one. Not even someone with a big moustache. Yet, they chose to establish him shirtless in that particular scene because they could not speak of brahmin hate anywhere.”

She also criticized the hypocrisy of these films, citing another example to take a jab at the lobbyists. She referenced “Soorarai Pottru“, where the hero, who in real life is from the Brahmin community, is portrayed under the name Maaran, suggesting a different community. In contrast, the villain is depicted as coming from the Brahmin community, highlighting the skewed representation and agendas at play in these narratives.

Kasthuri then asserted that the genocide in Kashmir is not a standalone incident; she argued that the ongoing hate against the Brahmin community in Tamil Nadu for the past 60 years is also a form of genocide. She emphasized that this sustained hostility is eroding their sense of belonging and identity, constituting a gradual destruction of their community.

Kasthuri then attacked the Dravidianists agenda by stating, “Denial of existence of God (Atheism) is the fundamental principle for Dravidianists, for that they have taken stand animosity toward Brahmins. It is because, if they say there is no god who will believe when there is someone in the temple devoutly engaged in bhakti follows all rules and regulation, thus the Hindu community will be united right. It’s akin to the story of the four bulls: when four of them stand together, no one can harm the Hindu community.”

She continued by highlighting how Dravidianists plot against one another, pitting individuals against each other while oppressing others. They create false narratives that even some Iyers and Iyengars have bought into, thinking they will gain inclusivity. However, she warned that they are merely being used as pawns in a scheme to ridicule their community.

Then blasting the entire Dravidian ecosystem by stating, “They are ridiculing our community by name-calling, using variety of terms like Paapan, Noolibaan, and Ibrahim brother had said and went that they even refer them as Brahmin Adi Varudi and Sombu etc. At least for them, Adivarudi and Sombu, then think of my situation. Because I am an actress and a woman, they will directly go to only one thing and stop there. There is a certain word for it, but the words they use are not a worse cuss word than ‘Dravidiyas’. Even if they refer to me with that word, I will happily say that my work is better and I am putting in my own hard work, not like you who is divisive c*ck and unjust p*mp.” 

She also mocked Suba Veerapandian, General Secretary of Dravida Iyyakka Tamilar Peravai, for ridiculing Brahmins by questioning how many have died for a cause. In response, she suggested he watch today’s situation, highlighting the Pulwama incident and a recent movie portraying a Brahmin soldier who died for the nation. She pointed out that it would be equally valid to ask how many from your community have not profited from making movies about these tragedies

Kasthuri then asked, “Who is Aryan Vandheri (immigrants/settlers)? Tamils have been engaged in spiritual practices and worshiping deities in temples since the era of Sangam literature. Vanniyars and Devas are alongside Kshatriyas, while Chettiyars, Mudaliyars, and Velalars are recognized as Vaishyas. Similarly, Shivacharyas, Iyers, Iyengars, Saivapillais, and Pandarams who worked in temples are classified as Brahmins.”

Then she asked, “Who are you to claim that there is no Tamil identity? Three hundred years ago, those who came to serve the king and those who attended to the royal household spoke Telugu. Now, when you assert that Tamils are your people, who are you to say that Tamils are not Brahmins? That’s why no movement can be called Tamilar Munnetra Kazhagam; instead, they create the term ‘Dravidam.'”

She also emphasized that this is not about unity for Brahmins, but a unity for all Hindus.

Furthermore, she noted that while E.V. Ramasamy was playing Goli and peeling onions, many Brahmins were actively engaged in social reforms and the freedom struggle. She named several individuals, including Subramaniya Siva, Vanginathan, Bharathiyar, and Srinivasa Iyengar, as well as women like Colonel Lakshmi and Sister Subalakshmi.

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