Image Source: Junior Vikatan
Citing outreach to Erode’s Rajasthani voters for the upcoming by-polls, DMK published campaign leaflets in Hindi, carrying the phrase – Mathdhaan Karein Ugatha Suraj (likely a verbatim translation of ‘Vote for Rising Sun’), exposing a stark contradiction in the party’s long-held anti-Hindi stance.
With just a week remaining for the by-election in the Erode East constituency, campaigning has intensified, drawing attention to a heated political battle. While the main opposition party, AIADMK, has boycotted the election, a total of 46 candidates remain in the fray. Key contenders include DMK’s Deputy Secretary for Publicity V.C. Chandrakumar, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) candidate Seethalakshmi, and various independent candidates.
Adding to the election’s significance, NTK Chief Coordinator Seeman has made strong criticisms of Dravidian ideologue EVRamasamy Naicker hailed as Periyar by his followers, turning this by-election in EVR’s hometown into a policy clash between the DMK and NTK. Seeman and his party members have accused EVR of being a divisive figure, stating he spoke disparagingly of Thirukkural and Tamil heritage. Additionally, NTK has been vocal in its criticism of the DMK’s stance on Tamil nationalism and language policies.
Amidst this charged atmosphere, a new controversy has erupted over a leaflet printed in Hindi by the DMK and distributed in the Indira Nagar and Madhav Krishna Road areas of Erode East. The leaflet, which features images of EVR, C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, as well as Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, carries the phrase “Mathdhaan Karein Ugatha Suraj“ in Hindi meaning Vote for Rising Sun. It urges voters to support DMK candidate V.C. Chandrakumar, who is contesting on behalf of the I.N.D.I alliance under the Rising Sun symbol.
The leaflet has quickly gone viral on social media, particularly among NTK supporters, who accuse the DMK of hypocrisy. Critics point out that the DMK, which historically rose to prominence through anti-Hindi agitation, is now actively seeking votes in Hindi. NTK members have widely circulated the leaflet online, questioning the DMK’s commitment to Tamil linguistic pride.
Responding to the controversy, DMK functionaries have defended their move, clarifying that the leaflets were targeted at the local Rajasthani community in Erode East. “People from Rajasthan have been residing in the Indira Nagar and Madhav Krishna Road areas for generations, and around 7,000 of them are registered voters. It is common practice to print campaign materials in Hindi to engage with them. Similar leaflets were distributed during previous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections as well. This has nothing to do with language politics or our stance on Tamil consciousness,” a DMK representative stated, as reported in Junior Vikatan.
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