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Dravidianists Cancel YouTuber Madan Gowri For Featuring BJP Leader Annamalai In Podcast

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On 13 April 2024, YouTuber Madan Gowri posted the inaugural episode of the ‘Voice of Tamil Nadu 2024’ podcast featuring K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP president and Coimbatore candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Since its release, the video has rapidly gained traction on social media, with Madan Gowri posing probing questions about the common criticisms directed at the BJP. Annamalai responded candidly, effectively addressing these critiques. Additionally, he shared insights from his personal journey, offering life advice and anecdotes along the way.

The interview was coordinated and arranged by YouTuber Karthik Gopinath who is also the BJP Tamil Nadu’s social media cell Vice President.

Accidental Politician

Annamalai candidly shared with host Madan Gowri that he stumbled into politics by chance. To elaborate, he likened his entry into politics to that of any ordinary citizen who harbors a disdain for politicians. Drawing from his experience working amidst the chaos of law enforcement, where criticism and frequent transfers are common, he highlighted the intensified animosity towards politicians. Annamalai, reflecting on his extensive nine-year tenure in Karnataka’s police force, recollected only a handful of specific incidents, contrasting them with the multitude of challenging encounters he had with politicians, numbering in the hundreds.

Delving into the intricacies of police duties, he cautioned against becoming too deeply entangled in criminal matters, emphasizing the detrimental impact it could have on one’s personal life. He mentioned that joining the police force at the age of 23 brought about a significant transformation and maturity in him. When he contemplated leaving his job, unsure of what to do next, he sought advice from his wife, friends, and colleagues. Ultimately, upon a friend’s suggestion, he decided to set 4 June 2019, as the date to resign, coinciding with his birthday.

Later, when his friends pointed out the profound impact of his career as a police officer on his mindset and behavior, he turned to the ancient practice of Vipassana meditation to cleanse his thoughts and clear his mind. Vipassana, which translates to “seeing things as they really are,” is a systematic method of mental purification through self-observation. It serves as a pathway to self-transformation by focusing on the intricate relationship between the mind and body. Through disciplined attention to the physical sensations that govern the body and influence the mind, practitioners directly experience this profound connection.

Politics And Actor Rajinikanth

Madan Gowri queried Annamalai about previous speculations regarding Annamalai’s potential alliance with Rajinikanth. Annamalai disclosed that Rajinikanth had personally reached out to him via phone, prompting him to arrange a meeting. Subsequently, they had multiple encounters, during which Annamalai commended Rajinikanth as a noble individual, acknowledging his contemplation of entering politics without intending harm to anyone. Their discussions transcended politics, delving into spiritual matters. Annamalai emphasized Rajinikanth’s discretion, remarking that while he holds private conversations close, Rajinikanth’s sensitivity and adherence to righteousness make the current political climate unsuitable for him. Annamalai said, “The private things should go with me to the grave but Rajini is a sensitive and dharmic soul and this toxic political culture doesn’t suit him.”

Election ‘Festivities’

When Madan Gowri inquired about the election ‘festivities’, Annamalai promptly retorted with sarcasm, suggesting that while the public may enjoy such festivals, for candidates, it feels more akin to being under pressure, like being in the hot oven. Later responding to Madan Gowri’s query about advice for young individuals aspiring for a career in politics, Annamalai highlighted the demographic trend indicating that the average age of MPs is 57, while the average age of voters is notably lower. Reflecting on his campaign experience in Kavundampalayam, Annamalai recounted an incident where a child holding a placard addressed him as Annamalai uncle and reminded him not to forget the concerns of the 2K generation kids. Drawing from this interaction, Annamalai emphasized the importance for the next generation of MPs to connect with and understand the aspirations and challenges faced by younger demographics. He suggested that the conventional approach to politics may not suffice in addressing the needs of contemporary generations.

He then narrated a story about perspective, “A child and a father go to the market, it is a big market where all kinds of goods are available. The father asks the child, did you like anything in the market? You have not asked me to buy you anything, And the child said, father, I did not see any thing, because all things were visible to you and not to me.” Annamalai commented that society aligns with our sight, expressing dissatisfaction with its lack of representation towards the young generation, while acknowledging the profound impact of the short story’s message on “perspective.” He openly expressed his sorrow, lamenting the harsh truth that young individuals entering politics in Tamil Nadu face today, stating, “The current political system does not support newcomers.” Between 2024 and 2029, it’s suggested that it’s an opportune time to involve young individuals in various roles. However, the existing party system may not readily accommodate them. The party structure tends to be entrenched, with cadres having worked alongside specific leaders for extended periods, often spanning decades. This dynamic presents a challenge for integrating the youth into the system, despite their possession of commendable knowledge and capabilities.

Language Politics

Madan Gowri carefully approached the subject of language, a cornerstone of Dravidian ideology and its political stronghold in Tamil Nadu. He raised concerns to Annamalai regarding the apparent imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu, questioning how leaders from the north, who predominantly speak Hindi, can effectively represent the issues faced by the people. Additionally, he pointed out that even BJP leaders predominantly speak Hindi, raising doubts about their ability to understand and address the concerns of the local population.

Annamalai expressed his intention to advocate for Tamil Nadu’s representation in both the core decision-making processes of the BJP and the cabinet. He also noted that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, both originally Gujarati speakers, only learned Hindi after relocating to Delhi and gaining opportunities there. He drew a parallel, stating that just as Tamilians aspire for Tamil, Gujarati-speaking people have similar aspirations for their language. He highlighted that similar questions and aspirations for language may have been raised in Gujarat 20 years ago, yet now a national party has been governing there for two decades. In response to the concerns raised by opposition parties, particularly the DMK in Tamil Nadu, regarding the absence of Tamil language on aircraft and airport name cards, Annamalai addressed the stance of the Aviation Minister. Annamalai noted that the central government does not impose restrictions on language usage but clarified that they cannot enforce the use of a specific language on private business models.

Hindutva Politics

Madan Gowri questioned Annamalai about the opposition parties’ portrayal of the BJP as a Hindu-centric party. Annamalai responded by stating his efforts to dismantle that perception. He emphasized that the right-wing perspective differs, asserting that the BJP is not inherently communal. He provided examples such as Yediyurappa, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, who garnered significant Muslim votes, and highlighted instances where Muslims voted for leaders like Modi in Gujarat and Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh.

Annamalai rejected the notion of the BJP being labeled a communal party by small clerics, citing legislative actions like the removal of Article 370, the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the abolition of triple talaq as steps toward national unity rather than communal polarization. He argued that triple talaq, for instance, is not practiced in countries following Sharia law and that discussing its benefits to youth helps break the narrative of communalism. According to Annamalai, the BJP prioritizes the well-being of all citizens, aiming to dispel misconceptions and promote inclusivity.

Dravidianists Cancel Madan Gowri

Regrettably, upon the YouTuber’s debut of his show and his choice of Annamalai as the inaugural guest for his podcast, supporters of the DMK and Dravidianists began inundating YouTuber Madan Gowri’s posts. They expressed their dismay, accusing him of aligning with the opposing political party, and subjected him to criticism and verbal abuse, employing their typical tactics. Several of them were so upset that they unsubscribed from his YouTube channel.

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