In a recent film titled “Maamannan,” Tamil actor Vadivelu portrays the character of a politician from an oppressed caste who rises to become the speaker of the legislative assembly. The movie is said to be inspired by true events, drawing parallels to the life of P. Dhanapal, a prominent political figure from Tamil Nadu.
Who Is Dhanapal?
Hailing from Karuvappur village in Salem district, Dhanapal was a staunch follower of the legendary Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). After completing his education in Chennai, he joined MGR’s newly formed political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), in 1972. Dhanapal made his political debut in the 1977 elections, contesting on an AIADMK ticket from the Sangagiri constituency. He emerged victorious, marking his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). Dhanapal went on to win the subsequent elections in 1980 and 1984, solidifying his position as a three-time MLA from Sangagiri.
However, tragedy struck when Dhanapal met with a near-fatal accident while expressing his gratitude to the voters. He miraculously survived the ordeal but bore a scar on his cheek as a reminder of the harrowing incident. During the tumultuous period following MGR’s demise, AIADMK split into two factions. Dhanapal remained loyal to J. Jayalalithaa, who later became the party’s supremo. Despite his commitment, he faced disqualification along with several other MLAs during that time.
In 2001, an intriguing incident took place when Jayalalithaa summoned Dhanapal to her Poes Garden residence. Apprehensive about the reason behind the call, Dhanapal promptly visited her.
Upon his arrival, she inquired, “Dhanapal, why aren’t you providing food to our hardworking party workers during the elections? I’ve heard that you remain distant and don’t engage or communicate with them.”
These words brought tears to Dhanapal’s eyes as he pleaded, “Amma, please forgive me. Why would I do such a thing? Whenever I serve food, no party worker shows interest in eating it. Even when I invited them to a function at my home, no one attended, and the food went to waste. Being from an oppressed community, even our own party workers seem to avoid me.” With a heavy heart, he explained the situation to Jayalalithaa.
After a moment of silence, Jayalalithaa assured him to focus on his election-related responsibilities while promising to address the matter herself.
To everyone’s astonishment, Jayalalithaa took an unexpected approach. Rather than reprimanding the District Secretary or other influential party members for their conduct, she devised a remarkable plan when the ADMK regained power with a majority in 2001. She appointed Dhanapal as the minister responsible for food. This decision sent a clear message to all, emphasizing the importance of treating him with respect and equality. It was a surprising move that showcased Jayalalithaa’s determination to ensure Dhanapal’s fair treatment within the party.
During this period, Jayalalithaa became aware once again of the differential treatment faced by Dhanapal due to his community background. In a move that caught everyone off guard, when the ADMK returned to power in 2011, she made an astonishing decision: appointing Dhanapal as the Deputy Speaker, and later in 2012, as a consequence of the resignation of D Jayakumar, the Speaker of the Assembly, Dhanapal took charge as the Speaker in his place. This unexpected move served as a powerful statement, with Jayalalithaa and others paying homage to Dhanapal as the Speaker, effectively demonstrating their belief in the equality of all individuals, regardless of caste or social standing.
This was a historic milestone in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, marking the first time someone from his community held this position. He further cemented his legacy in 2012 when he was appointed as the Speaker, becoming the first person from the Arundhatiyar community to hold the prestigious position.
Known for his calm demeanor, Dhanapal faced numerous challenges during his tenure as the Speaker. In 2011, he suspended six MLAs from the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) for a year and several others for six months for the chaos they created in the Assembly.
Controversy ensued when Dhanapal disqualified 18 MLAs who switched allegiance from the ruling AIADMK to T.T.V. Dinakaran’s faction. The disqualified MLAs challenged the decision in court, but it was ultimately upheld.
The Speaker’s decisions continued to spark debates and legal battles, including accusations of favoritism and selective disqualification. Opposition leader M.K. Stalin accused Dhanapal of suppressing dissent during a no-confidence motion, leading to further tensions in the Assembly.
After Jayalalithaa’s passing, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) assumed leadership. During this time, the opposition leader, MK Stalin, requested that the no-confidence motion be conducted through a secret ballot, but his request was denied by Speaker Dhanapal. The assembly session witnessed significant chaos as DMK MLAs raised slogans against Speaker Dhanapal. MK Selvam and P. Ranganathan approached the Speaker’s chair and engaged in inappropriate behavior, which was captured on camera and broadcasted by the media. In response, MK Stalin submitted a petition to Speaker Dhanapal, alleging that a DMK MLA had been assaulted during the commotion. Speaker Dhanapal, in turn, claimed that DMK MLAs had assaulted him and torn his clothes. Amidst these turbulent events, the no-confidence motion against the EPS government proceeded, with OPS and 10 MLAs voting against the motion.
Following the protest by DMK MLAs in the Assembly, they also accused the Speaker of tearing their clothes and expelling them from the premises. Amidst this chaotic situation, the no-confidence motion against the EPS government proceeded, and OPS along with 10 MLAs voted against the motion. Subsequently, the ADMK MLAs requested the disqualification of the 11 MLAs who did not adhere to the chief whip’s instructions, but Speaker Dhanapal did not act upon their request.
Subsequent to this, in a surprising turn of events, EPS and OPS joined forces to form the government, causing the disqualification proceedings against the 11 MLAs to lose momentum. However, the TTV Dinakaran faction raised concerns about the 11 MLAs who had disregarded the chief whip’s order, questioning why they were not disqualified while the 18 MLAs who followed the order faced disqualification. This issue sparked a prolonged and contentious debate. There were rumors in the media suggesting that Ratnasabapathy, Kalaichelvan, and Prabhu, who were supporters of the TTV faction, would also face disqualification. The Speaker requested these three MLAs to provide an explanatory notice regarding the matter.
During the 2019 by-elections in Tamil Nadu, it was crucial for the ADMK to secure victory in 22 constituencies to maintain their majority in the Assembly. Failure to do so would have put the DMK in a favorable position to form the government. To prevent this outcome, the Speaker of the Assembly, Dhanapal, allegedly devised a strategy to disqualify MLAs, thereby reducing the number of votes required for a majority by three. This move was seen as a means to assist EPS in retaining his position as Chief Minister. The TTV Dinakaran faction accused the Speaker of orchestrating this plan.
Dhanapal’s tenure was also marred by criticisms from the opposition accused him of neglecting the needs of a physically challenged M. Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister who required a suitable seat in the Assembly. Despite multiple requests, the Speaker of the Assembly denied providing a suitable seat for DMK leader Karunanidhi, who used a wheelchair. Karunanidhi expressed his disappointment, stating that physically disabled individuals like him were being disregarded and that he was saddened by those who were working towards his removal from the assembly. Despite his remarks, no appropriate seating arrangement was made for Karunanidhi.
Nevertheless, Dhanapal’s political journey persisted, with victories in 2011, 2016, and 2021 elections. His controversial decisions and silent demeanor have cemented his place as a significant figure within the AIADMK. The recent release of the movie “Maamannan” has reignited discussions surrounding Dhanapal’s life events. The film draws inspiration from his experiences, shedding light on the challenges he faced as a politician from an oppressed caste.
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