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Thiruma’s Attack On Journalists And The Double Standards Of Dravidian Stockist Media

Ashok Kumar

Memes trolling Thirumavalavan and the DMK have flooded social media following Thirumavalavan’s outburst at a journalist, in which he asked the journalist if he was a DMK member. The Dravidian Stockist Media and journalists who were outraged during Annamalai’s altercation with the journalists have remained conspicuously silent after Thirumavalavan’s altercation with Jaya TV journalist.

The DMK Government in Tamil Nadu headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly on April 19th, urging the Central Government to bring amendments in the laws to give reservation to the Adi Dravidars who have converted to Christianity.

Thirumavalavan, whose party is believed to have a large number of Christian converts living under the guise of Hindu Scheduled Caste in certificates, applauded the DMK government’s resolution urging central government to grant reservation to Christian converts from Scheduled Caste.

In this situation, VCK MP Thirumavalvan met with MK Stalin in the secretariat to convey his wishes for the resolution. He later addressed the press following his meeting with MK Stalin.

During the presser, a reporter inquired as to why the DMK government had not arrested anyone in the Vengaivayal case despite the fact that it had been so long, and how VCK continued to support the DMK in the matter by remaining silent.

Responding to the question, Thirumavalavan said, “It is impossible to predict how long it will take. Even after all these years, the true perpetrator of the Ramajayam murder has not been identified. In some cases, there may be an administrative issue, or there may be unconfirmed information in the investigation. However, the DMK government is not hostile to Dalits. In the Vengaivayal case, the government is not attempting to save anyone.”

However, speaking to the media a few days ago, VCK MP Thirumavalavan stated that delay in the arrest of the perpetrators in the Vengaivayal case is not good for the social justice DMK government. This statement was interpreted as Thirumalavan directly attacking the DMK government led by Chief Minister Stalin.

In light of his earlier comments and the diagonally opposite current statement, a reporter asked why he was speaking like a DMK spokesperson. Enraged Thirumavalavan yelled at the journalist, saying, “Am I a DMK person? You should not address me in this manner. This is uncivilised behaviour. Your questions should be factual rather than fictitious. Despite being in an alliance, we have protested against the DMK government. In the last two years, we have staged ten protests on Dalit issues.”

Yelling at journalist, Thirumavalavan said, “I am not enraged. your question is uncivilized. The government will deal with the Vengaivayal issue. I am not aggressive. You’re asking me not to point my finger at you while I’m speaking. Should I have to bow before you?”

Thirumavalavan’s நான் திமுக காரனா (Am I a DMK member?) comments began trending on Twitter shortly after the interview, as Thirumavalavan appeared visibly upset with the question. Several people on social media questioned Thirumavalavan’s outburst, asking if being a DMK member is a disgusting affair.

Enraged VCK cadres allegedly called Jaya TV, where the journalist who questioned Thirumavalavan worked, and abused the management of Jaya TV as the meme mocking DMK, VCK, and Thirumavalavan spread rapidly on social media. Thirumavalavan, recognising that the situation was escalating as VCK cadres began threatening Jaya TV management via phone, took to Twitter to urge his supporters to remain calm.

“No one of our brothers or sisters should violate civility by calling Jaya TV to express their outrage. This is simply not acceptable. We must not allow imposters to take advantage of the situation by infiltrating as one of us, abusing others, and creating a negative impression of us in public. So the cadres should let this pass with caution.”, Thirumavalavan said.

It is worth noting the conspicuous silence of Dravidian Stockist media and Stockist journalists who went crazy over Annamalai in the past, when he exposed the biassed nature of Tamil media. Dravidian Stockist outlets, such as The News Minute, has not published a single article about this incident.

The Union of Media Persons for Change (UMPC), a dubious network of Dravidian Stockist Journalists led by Aran Sei Aasif known for his DMK bias, had issued a namesake condemnation against Thirumavalavan as he is in alliance with the DMK. But even in this condemnation, they clubbed Thirumavalavan along with Naam Tamilar Katchi’s Seeman who also lost his cool with the media recently, so that it lands soft on Thirumavalavan.

UMPC in a tweet said, “It is the responsibility of journalists to ask questions. There are several ways to indicate that you do not wish to respond. Instead, addressing the journalists in the singular and asking them “how can you ask” is not expected of a leader. We condemn Seeman and Thirumavalavan for disrespecting journalists.”

When a similar incident involving Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai occurred a few months ago, the entire UMPC staged a protest in front of the Chennai Press Club. However, no such protests were organized against Thirumavalavan as he is one among them.

The News Minute’s Shabbir and The Week’s Lakshmi Subramaniam demanded a public apology from TN BJP president Annamalai during a press conference following Annamalai’s altercation with a journalist. Shabbir of The News Minute received criticism for his arrogant demeanor during the press conference, where he stood disrespectfully with his one leg raised towards Annamalai demanding apology from him. Same is the case with The Week’s Lakshmi Subramanian, another rabid Dravidian Stockist journo who had joined Shabbir in cornering Annamalai. However, both of them have looked the other way without commenting on Thirumavalavan incident.

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