Edappadi Palaniswami, the General Secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK), has initiated a sequence of calculated moves that seem to mirror the stance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) while seeking backing from minority groups in Tamil Nadu.
On 14 October 2023, EPS had urged the DMK-led state government to ensure prayer facilities for Muslim prisoners at Vellore jail. In a statement, EPS expressed his condemnation, stating, “It is unacceptable to deprive Muslim prisoners of their right to practice their religious duties.”
In response to Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s abrupt expression of concern for the Muslim community, Hindu Munnani has raised doubts about his stance. They stated, “AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami consistently expresses support for individuals associated with Muslim extremist activities. It remains unclear whether his sudden concern is motivated by the upcoming parliamentary elections.”
The Hindu Munnani also quoted EPS’s statement that the DMK is obstructing Muslim prisoners’ right to worship by not allowing them to offer namaz in Vellore jail, urging for immediate permission for them to do so.
The Hindu Munnani further emphasized, “Under the DMK’s governance, Hindu temples faced a continuous series of demolitions. Instances of Christian conversions escalated in Chennimalai. There were also cases where the police assaulted women participating in Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.”
They questioned the discrepancy in Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s response, asking, “Why does Palaniswami raise his voice only when there’s an issue affecting the Muslim community, ignoring the problems faced by Hindus?”
Furthermore, the Hindu Munnani asserted, “Muslims won’t vote for you regardless of your efforts to advocate for the release of individuals involved in bomb blasts and to ensure their right to worship in jail. Therefore, it’s unwise to alienate the larger Hindu community in pursuit of minority votes. Your hypocrisy is evident. Edappadi Palaniswami ji would be better off abstaining from engaging in unethical political tactics.”
அ.தி.மு.க பொதுச் செயலாளர் எடப்பாடி பழனிச்சாமி அவர்கள் தொடர்ந்து முஸ்லிம் பயங்கரவாதிகளுக்கு
ஆதரவாக பேசி வருகிறார். அவரது திடீர் கரிசனத்திற்கு பாராளுமன்ற தேர்தல் தான் காரணமா என தெரியவில்லை.வேலூர் சிறையில் உள்ள முஸ்லிம்கள் தொழுகை நடத்த முடிவதில்லை என அவர்களது வழிபாட்டு உரிமையை… pic.twitter.com/IlAJpB1ieO
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) October 15, 2023
AIADMK On The Path Of Muslim Appeasement
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), after its exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has come under scrutiny for its perceived efforts to court minority voters. This shift is believed to be a response to the party’s claim of losing minority support during its alliance with the BJP.
AIADMK raised a calling attention motion over the issue of releasing Muslim prisoners including those who have been convicted for the 1998 Coimbatore Bomb Blasts. The motion called for releasing over 36 Muslim prisoners including the 16 convicts sentenced to life in the 1998 Coimbatore Blasts case on humanitarian grounds considering their long sentences served, old age and health.
The AIADMK General Secretary informed his Muslim supporters in Salem several days ago that the party had severed ties with the BJP in accordance with their wishes. He said, “I would like to point out that ADMK has acted just as you wished. Similarly, you have to ensure that our candidates win the elections.”
முஸ்லிம் மக்கள் ஆசைப்பட்டது போல அதிமுக,பாஜக கூட்டணி இல்லை. கண்ணை இமை காப்பது போல சிறுபான்மையினரை அதிமுக பாதுகாக்குமாம்- எடப்பாடி. இந்து ஓட்டு வங்கி இல்லாததால் தானே இந்த பேச்சு அதிமுகவும் திமுகவும் போட்டி போட்டு சிறுபான்மை காவலராக தன்னை அறிவிக்கிறார்கள். இந்துக்கள் உனர்வது எப்போ? pic.twitter.com/tH5RRMkha5
— A.T.Elangovan (@elangovan_HM) October 3, 2023
Now a member of the AIADMK, CTR Nirmal Kumar who was once with the BJP shared a picture on his X handle with the hashtag – An ADMK for everyone and the image had EPS wearing the skullcap characteristic of Muslims with the words “The Saviour” in the background written in Arabic style font.
#எல்லோருக்குமான_அஇஅதிமுக pic.twitter.com/Z1JiceOUyx
— CTR.Nirmal kumar (@CTR_Nirmalkumar) October 10, 2023
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