The ideological chasm between communism and Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu has came to the forefront, as Nilgiris MP and DMK Deputy General Secretary A Raja’s disparaging remarks about communist ideology triggered outrage within the alliance. While cadres voiced their discontent, state leadership brushed aside the controversy, prioritizing alliance stability.
In the wake of Nilgiris MP and DMK Deputy General Secretary A Raja mocking communist ideology, significant unrest was sparked within the alliance, with cadres visibly enraged. However, state leaders chose to overlook the issue, citing alliance considerations. Even the newly elected CPI(M) TN Secretary, P Shanmugam, expressed that their support for the DMK would continue, but only during elections.
Is this the first time such tensions have arisen? It appears not. The communists, who had been a strong force since independence—championing labour rights against the British and advocating for workers—have now seen their influence erode to the same Dravidian forces they once stood against. Throughout history, communist sympathizers warned of Dravidian politics, but the communist party has largely succumbed. Today, it seems to have become little more than a mouthpiece and ally, working to further the DMK’s agenda.
Ismath Basha, the editor of Samaran magazine, issued an early warning for the communists in 1954: “If we allow the DMK to grow, it will eventually transform into a fascist movement. Even if its true nature is not visible to our eyes today, the elements of fascism embedded in the DMK’s foundation should be clear to any Marxist.”
In this context, let’s examine some instances where Dravidian leaders ridiculed communism and its philosophy, only to later rise to the pinnacle of power politics. Below are a few notable examples.
- On 27 July 1952, Dravidian ideologue EV Ramasamy Naicker (referred to as Periyar by his followers) wrote in his magazine Viduthalai, “Indian Congress, Indian Socialist, Indian Communist, Indian Onion’ist—any party with ‘Indian’ in its name are wage earners for the Paapan (ridiculing name for Brahmins), the northern wage earners; their replicas. They are the sworn enemies who relish in the labour of Dravidian. Therefore, this resistance to Hindi is a resistance against the domination and exploitation by all of them collectively.”
- On 5 August 1955, he wrote in his magazine Viduthalai, “Let’s take the communists. They claim that the birthplace of knowledge in the world is there, a place where intelligent people are produced. But our country’s communists consist of great scoundrels, fraudsters, rioters, and anarchists who incite robbery and murder.”
- On 4 November 1973, EVR, speaking in Trichy, mocked and ridiculed the communists, saying, “These communists have no influence among the people. If they stand alone, they cannot even get five votes. Yet, they also act like a party and give them advertisements.”
- On 4 November 1973, in another speech in Trichy, Naicker mocked and ridiculed the communists, saying, “The communist’s job is to lick someone’s feet and grow his belly. He has no allegiance to anyone. If we are strong, he is with us; if the Brahmin (Paapan) is strong, he is with him. If someone else is strong, he is with them. The communists are the most unprincipled group in the world.”
- In 1945, during a speech titled “Situation of Dravidians (Dravidar Nilai)” at Kudanthai, Annadurai stated, “Communists are thieves and robbers.” He said, “In Chennai, a thief who steals from a passerby on China Bazaar Street will panic and flee, while those nearby will try to catch him. But the thief’s accomplices will distract the crowd, shouting, ‘Here is the thief, there is the thief!’ As a result, everyone will be misled, abandoning the true path to chase after a false lead and returning home exhausted. The communists’ behaviour today is like that of the thief’s accomplice who helps divert attention from the real issue.”
This article is based on an X thread by Sundar Raja Chola.
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