News Tamil Nadu

DMK Student Wing Pres Rajiv Gandhi Degrades Kamaraj To Glorify EVR, BJP And Congress Student Body Hit Back

October 22, 2024
The Commune

The DMK has once again targeted Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, whose tenure is widely regarded as a golden era embraced by all, regardless of political affiliation. To this day, both new and veteran leaders often promise to restore Tamil Nadu to the heights achieved during Kamaraj’s time. However, the ruling DMK has repeatedly distorted historical facts, including those that are clear and well-documented. Recently, the chief of their student wing sparked controversy by spreading falsehoods to further their Dravidian agenda. Rather than merely misrepresenting the facts, he ridiculed and disrespected Kamaraj’s legacy.

In a disappointing turn, the Congress party, despite the video going viral, has refrained from condemning its alliance partner, with only a few leaders who genuinely honor Kamaraj speaking out against the comments.

At a recent book release event at the DMK’s student wing office, Anbagam, on 12 October 2024, the president of the student wing, Rajiv Gandhi, 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 own funds. Rajaji closed 2500 schools that were opened by the Justice party. 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 closed 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 own money to reopen the schools; this fact has been well documented by the comrade. 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.

While the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief, Selvaperunthagai, has remained completely silent, some party leaders have begun to speak out and has strongly criticized the recent remarks made by DMK student union leader Rajiv Gandhi regarding Kamaraj, cautioning that if the DMK permits such statements, it could severely damage the ‘I.N.D.I’ alliance in Tamil Nadu for the statement, “Kamaraj reopened the schools that Rajaji had closed. He didn’t use his own money to do this; he recognized the importance of education.” He also claimed that Kamaraj’s electoral success in Gudiyatham was due to support from DMK leader Annadurai, who allegedly prevented the DMK from contesting in that area.

These comments have sparked significant backlash within the alliance. Senior Congress member Trichy Veluchamy remarked that Rajiv Gandhi seems unaware of the historical context between DMK and Congress, describing his assertions about the party’s influence in Gudiyatham as misguided. He emphasized that a Congress MLA had previously won in that constituency before resigning, leading to by-elections.

Veluchamy reiterated that Kamaraj built schools using public tax funds and did not misappropriate money. He warned that if Rajiv Gandhi’s remarks go unchecked, it could jeopardize the relationship between DMK and Congress.

Chinnathambi, the President of Tamil Nadu Students Congress, added that when Rajiv Gandhi was with the Naam Tamilar Party, he made derogatory remarks about Karunanidhi. He questioned why someone with Rajiv’s history holds any significance within the DMK. He expressed dismay that a person with such a troubled background would speak about Kamaraj, and he urged the DMK leadership to curtail Rajiv Gandhi’s out-of-line comments to protect the integrity of the alliance.

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