News Tamil Nadu

DMK Ally KMDK’s Suriamoorthi Given MP Seat Under ‘Rising Sun’ Symbol, Had Called Dalits “Beggars” And Threatened To Kill Those Doing Inter-Caste Marriages, Leftist-Dravidianist Media Silent

March 19, 2024
The Commune

The Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) announced S. Suriamoorthi as its candidate for the Namakkal Parliamentary Constituency on 18 March 2024, nominated by the DMK as part of the I.N.D.I. Alliance. Suriamoorthi will contest under the DMK’s ‘rising sun’ symbol. A 51-year-old native of Sivagiri in Kodumudi block, he currently resides in Namakkal. Engaged in farming and construction activities, he previously contested unsuccessfully in Assembly elections in Modakkurichi in 2001, in Vellakoil in 2006, and as the party candidate in Modakkurichi in 2016. Suriamoorthi joined KMDK in 2007 and has served as its youth wing secretary for the past seven years. 

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President welcomed his candidature saying “Mr. Suriyamurthy, who has been announced as the candidate of the Namakkal parliamentary constituency of the Kongu Makkal Desiya Katchim (KMDK), which is a member of the I.N.D.I.A alliance met at Satyamurti Bhavan and exchanged pleasantries.”

As soon as this announcement was made, an old video featuring a casteist speech by Surya Moorthi, leader of DMK ally Kongu Nadu Makkal Desiya Katchi, went viral on social media.

In a public gathering, Suriyamoorthi, a casteist person from the Gounder community who is now announced as a candidate for Namakkal by DMK alliance partner stated, “There’s talk going around that Gounders (land-owning influential backward caste in TN) are talking excessively. If those of you (Dalits), begging from ten households, can speak so freely, just think: we’re providing for ten families and have accumulated wealth to sustain ten generations. So, imagine the volume of discourse we can engage in. If you believe that marrying a Gounder girl will lead to wealth, we will eliminate you and your mother while you’re still in the womb. The youth of Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam have been actively engaged in this matter. Let me caution the Police Intelligence present here. Do not assume that Gounders are intimidated by police proceedings.”

He said, “In every village, there are approximately 10 to 15 unmarried Gounder men aged between 30 to 40. Given this scenario among Gounder men, we will not stand idly by when men from other castes take Gounder women on their bikes under the guise of love. We have assembled around 1500 young individuals from approximately 15 districts surrounding Namakkal. If anyone from other castes attempts to touch our caste women, we will eliminate them in their wombs. If any men of other caste love Gounder caste women, initially we will try to warn them. if they do not heed to it, we will finally kill them both.”

He further added, “A similar incident occurred in the vicinity of Kanchikovil. A woman from our caste fell in love with a man from another caste. Despite our warnings to the girl, she remained steadfast in her affection. However, when I threatened to take the drastic step of ending her lover’s life, she chose to abandon her love and wedded another individual from the Gounder caste. I wish to reiterate here: our youth, under the leadership of Kongu Eswaran, are prepared to confront any legal consequences. During my 21-day incarceration, I interacted with Gounder inmates. Upon pledging to secure their release, they vowed to eliminate anyone who interfered with Gounders. Police may think that we are doing terrorism. Yes, we are doing it.”

He went on to say, “You may provide free rations, clothing, and other necessities to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. However, if you enact any legislation favoring them, I will be compelled to resort to vigilantism. If you receive all the subsidies based on your caste, why does it offend you when we refer to you by your caste name? A beggar can only be called a beggar and not a Zamindar.”

He also proclaimed that if any male or female from the Gounder community was facing an issue, one must not hesitate to take a violent step. He added, “If the police think I am promoting terrorism, yes we are. Try to stop it.”

This video has been circulating widely on social media, garnering attention not only from political circles but also from non-political individuals such as social activists, writers, and others. They are urging the DMK to withdraw the candidacy of this individual, citing casteist remarks. Many have raised doubts about his ability to represent constituents of other castes if elected as a Member of Parliament.

Despite the I.N.D.I. ally DMK fielding a man who has publicly abused and threatened Dalits, news outlets like The News Minute, The Wire and other leftist media outlets who portray themselves as the champions of the oppressed have looked the other way by not even reporting on his candidature.

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