A fresh war of words has erupted between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the DMK after senior DMK leader RS Bharathi dismissed criticism from TVK Minister Ramesh by referring to him as a “Paappan” (a Tamil term used like a slur by Dravidianists for Brahmins). Ramesh has now issued a sharp response, accusing the DMK of practising “fake social justice” while exploiting caste for political survival.
RS Bharathi’s Response To ‘Paappa Model’ Jibe
The exchange began after Minister Ramesh criticised the DMK by calling it the “Paappa Model.” The remark was intended as a counter to the DMK’s repeated taunt describing the TVK government as the “Sofa Model.”
When reporters sought RS Bharathi’s response, the veteran DMK leader first took a swipe at Ramesh’s past.
“If you want to know who Ramesh is, go and ask at SRM. Find out what he did when he worked there and what he used to say about us,” Bharathi said.
When reporters pointed out that Ramesh had labelled the DMK the “Paappa Model,” alleging that the party constantly complains about everything, Bharathi responded by invoking the origins of the Dravidian movement.
“But why wouldn’t we? After all, we were given the identity of ‘Kanneer Thuligal’ (tears) by Periyar. We have grown over the years based on that identity. To us, Periyar is the one who gave us that name. Because he championed the cause of wiping away people’s tears, this party has flourished for 77 years.”
Bharathi then added, “Therefore, we don’t need to respond to these ‘Paappaans’. I am using the word ‘Paappan’ literally. Please don’t misinterpret it or report it differently. If my tone seems harsh, don’t twist it. I am simply responding to the ‘Paappas’, and that is all.”
TVK Minister Ramesh Accuses DMK Of Weaponising Caste
Responding on X, Minister Ramesh questioned whether Bharathi had the courage to answer his criticism directly.
“The person who says he will not respond because I am a ‘Paappan’ should first ask himself whether he has the courage to answer me,” Ramesh wrote.
Rejecting Bharathi’s attempt to reduce him to his caste identity, Ramesh said he was born into an ordinary family and had risen through public service in the Thalapathy Makkal Iyakkam before joining the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
“I hold in my heart the ideals of our party’s ideological leaders Thanthai Periyar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Kamarajar, Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal and strive to live by their principles,” he said.
Ramesh then accused the DMK of invoking Periyar while practising divisive caste politics.
“Unlike you, I do not invoke Thanthai Periyar as a guiding light while deceiving people in the name of social justice. I have no habit of using caste to make a political living, whether it is for the benefit of one particular community, the oppressed, or merely for vote-bank politics.”
Praising Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Ramesh said the present government was working towards “genuine social justice.”
“Our Honourable Chief Minister has broken caste and religious barriers and established a government based on true social justice while serving the people. We are following the same path.”
He further claimed that the DMK’s electoral defeat was itself a rejection of its caste-based politics.
“You would do well to remember that the electoral blow delivered through Thanthai Periyar’s staff was a rejection of the fake politics of survival that you continue to practise using caste.”
Ramesh concluded with a personal attack on the DMK leadership, contrasting what he described as TVK’s ideological journey with the DMK’s dynastic politics.
“We came to power through conviction, hard work and adherence to the ideals of our ideological leaders. What qualification do those who live as bonded servants to a single family’s dominance have to question us?”
பாப்பானுக்கு பதில் சொல்ல மாட்டேன் என சொல்பவருக்கு முதலில் எனக்கு பதில் சொல்ல திராணி இருக்கிறதா?
சாதாரண குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்து, தளபதி மக்கள் இயக்கத்தில் சேவைகள் செய்து, தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகத்தின் கொள்கைத் தலைவர்களான தந்தை பெரியாரையும், அண்ணல் அம்பேத்கரையும், காமராஜரையும், வேலு…
— TVK Ramesh (@RameshOffcl) July 3, 2026
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