In a video interaction on Minnambalam’s YouTube channel, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission Executive Vice Chairperson Jeyaranjan’s words buttressing the DMK and the Dravidianist movement went viral. This video is from about 10 months ago and in it, Jeyaranjan launched a lengthy defence of the DMK and the Dravidian movement while repeatedly attacking Brahmins, Hinduism, and ancient Hindu texts.
On the subject of caste politics, Jeyaranjan criticised DMK’s detractors for questioning the party’s record while allegedly sparing AIADMK. On the question of why caste exists despite 75 years of DMK being in existence given the Justice party was created to “eradicate” caste.
He said, “… in the OBC category, out of around 120–110 communities, why are some being identified separately and put in compartments? Why is this being done? Like for example, earlier, BC (Backward Classes) people were ahead in some respects. Why give them separate reservations now? First, the government effort is to give education to everyone, right? But if women are found to be lagging in education, you have to identify that and give them what they need. Second, when it comes to caste, who created it 2000 years ago? Whose responsibility is it to abolish it? Do you understand the game being played here? When we asked, they said “DMK created caste.” If DMK is going to abolish it, first ask: Who actually created caste? Would the one who created it willingly give it up? Would the people who have been practising it for so long simply stop? But the responsibility, they dump it only on DMK. The blame goes only to DMK. Why?”
He then resorted to shielding the DMK for beign blamed for eveyrthing bad in society. He said, “Whatever is done, it is DMK’s job to find a solution. But no one talks about who created the problem. If you talk about that, actually, this problem itself would not exist. So if you ask me. “What about the people talking like this, what are they doing?”, I’ll give you the reason.”
At this moment, the anchor buttressed saying, “Those who ask why there is a colony now (in this day and age), are not asking why there is an agraharam (old Brahmin settlement) to this day.”
Jeyaranjan replied, “Shouldn’t you be asking, “Who created it in the first place?” and go and question them directly? Instead, you’re pointing at someone else and saying, “This person isn’t right.” See, you then ask him, “If you say it’s wrong, what will you do about it?” Why? You are the ones who created it, practised it, and are still sustaining it. When in power, you should ask, was it created by governance, or by ideology? Who created that ideology? Who created the concept of God? Who created religion? From that, who wrote everything down as the Vedas and Shastras? Who built a whole system from it? Who created caste hierarchy? Who created untouchability? Who branded a section of people as “avarna” (outcast)? Who executed the person who said “This is wrong”? Who killed crores of people? And even now, when people say “It can’t be destroyed” (referring to Sanatana Dharma which is eternal) how did that come about? We should be talking about all that, right? Why won’t they talk about it? That’s the question that needs to be asked. Logically, properly — if there’s anyone qualified to speak about these matters, that’s what they should be asking.”
When asked why DMK which is in power and has been in power not done anything to change this, he said, “No, no, when we said we would change it, we only said “it should be changed,” not “we will definitely change it,” right? If you want it changed, you have to do it when you come to power. But if you yourself won’t change, how will anything change?”
Jeyaranjan repeatedly portrayed DMK as unfairly burdened with solving caste problems, likening former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s political struggles to religious martyrdom: “Kalaignar carried that burden until the day he died. Like someone carrying a cross to the point of death — that’s how it was. Why was he hated? For what reason was he considered an enemy? Why is this movement considered the enemy by some people?”
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
