John Pandian of the Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) has strongly condemned Dravidar Kazhagam activist and speaker Oviya after an old video resurfaced following the recent controversial arrest of actress Kasthuri Shankar.
The video, which went viral and sparked widespread outrage, shows Oviya making derogatory remarks about the Devendrakula Vellalar community in 2019. In the video, she says, “Krishnasamy can keep whatever name he wants, but Devendrakula Vellalar also means the son of Paapan’s (Brahmin) mistress (Vapaati).”
தமிழ்நாட்டில் பெரும்பான்மை சமூகமாக இருக்கக் கூடிய உழைக்கும் மக்களை பாப்பானின் வப்பாட்டி மக்கள் என இழிவுப்படுத்தும் இவரின் பேச்சு வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கதக்கது ! pic.twitter.com/RsdwJPCzZX
— Duraimurugan (@Saattaidurai) November 20, 2024
On 20 November 2024, TMMK chief John Pandian issued a statement through his official account condemning Oviya’s remarks and demanding both an apology and her arrest for the offensive statement.
John Pandian stated, “Comrade Oviya should apologize for speaking disparagingly about the Devendrakula Vellalar people on a public platform. I strongly condemn Mrs. Oviya Vallinayakam for speaking disparagingly about the Devendra Kula Vellalar community, the historical majority community that taught the world the civilization of rice. The majority community in Tamil Nadu is the Devendrakula Vellalar community. I request the Tamil Nadu Police Department to arrest Comrade Oviya, who spoke disparagingly about the Devendrakula Vellalars who discovered rice civilization and practiced agriculture for the survival of humanity. She has spoken about the Devendrakula Vellalars in a way that incites violence. Comrade Oviya does not need to teach history lessons to the Devendrakula Vellalars. I believe that Comrade Oviya has deliberately this comment on a public platform with the intention of defaming Devendra Kula Vellalars after a long struggle and as a result of the continuous black shirt struggle of the Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam for the past one year, as they have raised their heads high as Devendra Kula Vellalars. I strongly condemn her again. She should stop such talks. Those who cannot understand the needs and demands of the majority of the people and speak for petty identity politics are inciting riots in society. Therefore, I request the Tamil Nadu Police to arrest her.”
தேவேந்திர குல வேளாளர் மக்களை பொது மேடையில் இழிவாக பேசிய தோழர் . ஓவியா அவர்கள் மன்னிப்பு கேட்க வேண்டும்
உலகில் நெல் நாகரிகத்தை கற்று கொடுத்த வரலாற்று பெரும்பான்மை சமூகமான தேவேந்திரகுல வேளாளர் சமூகத்தை இழிவான வார்த்தைகளால் பேசிய திருமதி . ஓவியா வள்ளிநாயகம் அவர்களை வன்மையாக… pic.twitter.com/8iguHo11ug
— John Pandian (@JohnPandianTMMK) November 20, 2024
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