Home News “Outright Insult To Perunthalaivar”, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Slams TVK For Comparing...

“Outright Insult To Perunthalaivar”, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Slams TVK For Comparing Vijay To Kamarajar

By
The Commune
-
congress mp karti chidambaram kamaraj vijay tvk

Sivaganga Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has sharply criticized the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for calling its party president and actor-turned-part-time-politician Vijay as “Ilaya Kamarajar” comparing him with the revered former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, whose legacy transcends political boundaries in Tamil Nadu.

In a social media post, Karti wrote, “This is an outright insult to Perunthalaivar, those who posted this expose their lack of political & historical knowledge.”

His remarks reflect widespread public sentiment condemning as an inappropriate comparison between a cinematic celebrity with minimal political experience and a statesman of Kamaraj’s stature.

Kamaraj was widely admired for his simplicity, integrity, and selfless dedication to public service. A lifelong bachelor, he lived modestly and passed away in 1975 without owning any property. At the time of his death, his personal belongings amounted to just ₹130 in cash, two pairs of sandals, four sets of shirts and dhotis, and a handful of books.

Known for embodying Gandhian values, Kamaraj wore a simple khadi shirt and dhoti throughout his life. His humble lifestyle and deep commitment to ethical politics earned him the affectionate title “Black Gandhi” among the people. He consistently refused special privileges and luxuries. For example, during his tenure as Chief Minister, when the municipality of Virudhunagar installed a direct water connection to his house, he promptly ordered it to be removed, insisting that public utilities were meant for the people, not for individual benefit. He also declined police protection, viewing it as an unnecessary use of public resources.

Though he had no formal higher education, Kamaraj displayed remarkable wisdom, keen insight, and a deep understanding of human nature—qualities that led to him being known as Padikkatha Methai (the unlettered genius). He believed that any goal could be achieved through the right means and emphasized action over rhetoric, earning him titles like Karma Veerar (Man of Action) and Perunthalaivar (Great Leader) in Tamil Nadu.

His influence extended beyond India. Former U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey once described Kamaraj as one of the greatest political leaders in the world.

Kamaraj, fondly remembered as the Father of Education in Tamil Nadu, made landmark contributions during his tenure as Chief Minister from 1954 to 1963. Despite lacking formal education himself, he revolutionized the state’s education system. He introduced free education for the underprivileged, initiated the Midday Meal Scheme to tackle child hunger and school dropouts, and raised the literacy rate from a dismal 7% to 37%. He expanded access to education, extended the academic calendar, and reformed the curriculum to meet diverse student needs.

Kamaraj was also instrumental in laying the foundation for Tamil Nadu’s industrial and infrastructural growth. He played a key role in establishing IIT Madras and oversaw major irrigation projects such as the Lower Bhavani Dam, which alone brought over 2 lakh acres under cultivation. His tenure also witnessed the rise of major industries like Neyveli Lignite Corporation, BHEL in Trichy, and the Manali Refinery, along with significant progress in sectors like paper, sugar, and cement. His governance model remains a benchmark for political integrity and public welfare.

In stark contrast, actor Vijay’s political foray is relatively new, and critics argue that his contributions to public service are negligible so far. More controversially, while Vijay opposed the National Education Policy (NEP) claiming it would promote Hindi, but he simultaneously runs a CBSE school, Vijay Vidyashram, where Hindi is taught and tuition fees run into lakhs. It is also a known fact that actor Vijay has been living a life of comfort and riches all his life, so the comparison is inappropriate and fallacious.

The decision by his party or supporters to liken him to Kamaraj has been met with backlash from both the public and political circles. Many argue that such comparisons trivialize the enduring legacy of a leader like Kamaraj, whose achievements were grounded in decades of grassroots public service, sacrifice, and visionary leadership not celebrity status or media hype.

Here are some of the reactions from netizens who mocked and criticized TVK’s claim of calling Vijay ‘Ilaya Kamaraj’.

Following public backlash, the handle deleted the post.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR