Though the time is ripe, the politics of north cannot be replicated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The BJP will do well to have its ear close to the ground
Since the defeat of the Congress in 1967, Tamil Nadu has been sort of a bi-party State. Only the two Dravidian parties — the DMK and ADMK — have been the occupants of Fort St George. The poor voters, fed on a diet of the dogma called Dravidam, have unknowingly created an illusion of entitlement and privilege for these two parties. What DMK grandiosely peddled as its paradigm-shifting political philosophy and the platform of social justice, has been quietly dismantled to build personal edifices for its first family.
It won't be long before the citizens of Tamil Nadu would unmask the façade of Dravidianism, and truly embrace the spirit of nationalism. But this can be better served by the BJP which has, within a decade, transformed the world image of India into one of assertiveness, boldness and competence. Assertiveness of what is truly good for India at the global forum. Boldness in pursuing policies that unite and strengthen the nation into Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. Competence in chartering into areas driven by science and technology for Viksit Bharat — Digital India, Startup India and Covid vaccines are a few of the many key initiatives by the BJP to drive the Indian growth story.
Tamil Nadu has only much to gain from these. However, in the specific context of electoral wins in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, BJP should have its ear close to the ground. Omandur Ramaswamy Reddiyar, the first Premier of the Madras Presidency, was the original proponent of social justice - Madras Temple Entry Authorization Act 1947 and the Devadasi Dedication Abolition Act of 1947 were passed during his period. He rendered yeoman's service for Tamil language, promotion of literacy through compulsory primary education and agriculture. In 1947, with the help of P Thooran, a Tamil poet-scholar, and Minister of Tamil Nadu, Avinashilingam Chettiar, Reddiyar published Tamil's first encyclopedia, Kalaik Kalanjiyam. He said that Tamil Nadu and Kerala were unique regions that require unique approaches for governance.
As a keen observer of Tamil Nadu politics for more than five decades, I have noted with interest and intrigue issues that have been part of the ethos and economy of these two States. However, confining the discussion here to Tamil Nadu, I would wager that its uniqueness spans the spectrum of language, culture, religious practices, including deep cultural relationship it shares not only with the contiguous States but also with countries across the ocean. It is unfortunate that a State which could have scaled much greater peaks - culturally and economically --- has been left to be overtaken by the two alternating Dravidian parties for over five decades, all in the name of one family! Politics in Tamil Nadu has been reduced to false promises, street corner harangues and hollow talks.
The Tamils of Sri Lanka, even long after the civil war has ended, continue to be denied their rightful share of opportunities and dignity - politically and economically. Their religious beliefs have also been breached. There has been large-scale encroachment of Hindu places of worship by non-Hindus in Sri Lanka, a country which Tamils made their home centuries back. It is estimated that Sri Lanka has demolished over 2,000 Hindu temples in Trincomalee. Every effort should be made through diplomatic negotiations to preserve the religion in a place which has only been enriched by the heritage of Tamils.
At this juncture, I recollect the DMK's complicity in handing over on a platter one of the family jewels of Tamil Nadu — Katchatheevu — by the Congress. The BJP should review this to heal the emotional wound of Tamilians, especially of those along the coast in south Tamil Nadu. We should recognise that Indian Tamils are like our buffer State - it is our vicarious liability to resolve the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, the issue of ambiguity in fishing areas should be settled as this has caused frequent skirmishes between them with their counterparts in Sri Lanka.
The growing Chinese presence in Sri Lanka may not only de-prioritise the Tamil issue for the Sri Lankan Government, it will also be a threat to India's security. The reins of Colombo Port Eastern Terminal and Hambantota Harbour are already in China's hands. Even the controversial Katchatheevu is not free from Chinese domination - China has put up windmills near this island and it won't be long before it sets foot there, too. China is set to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean region further. There are more in the form of army training camps in the Indian Ocean region by Pakistan, South Africa and China. Add to these spy ships crisscrossing the Ocean. Need I say about Mauritius, which is turning hostile to India, thanks to China? The once-peaceful zone, with the crowding of other countries, will only destabilise the region and be an imminent threat to the future of India.
There are threats to India from other sides too — Pakistan in the west, Maldives and pro-China Sri Lanka in the south, Nepal and Bangladesh in the east.
With close to four lakh temples, by far the most in India, Tamil Nadu is unequivocally a cradle of Sanatan Dharma. It is also home to some of the world's largest temples. More proof of Tamil Nadu's rich Hindu heritage and its practise in Tamil Nadu can be found in almost continual excavations of panchaloka idols, stone sculptures dating back to the Sangam era by the ASI and even by farmers.
With a history that dates back to over 6,000 years with evidence of 3,200-year-old civilisation discovered recently, it is important for the BJP to recognise that this really tugs at the heart strings of Tamilians. Modi has admirably and rightly platformed Tamil language across the country and the world abroad through Sengol and Kashi Tamil Sangam. The whole country has got a glimpse of the richness of Tamil language, culture and heritage. BJP should build on the platform it has assiduously built, and take it to the next level during its third term.
The incumbent ruling party in Tamil Nadu is a party of turncoats. The loyal foot soldiers of DMK who walked the extra mile for the party's growth and duly recognised by Kalaignar have been sidelined by his heir, MK Stalin. Vaiko, who walked out of DMK opposing the importance given to the then heir apparent, now shares stage with the heir. The MLAs who call the shots in DMK are from the ADMK! It would be too naive to believe that a party full of opportunists would work for the people.
But the politics of north cannot be replicated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. These two States are unique, as observed by Ramaswamy Reddiyar decades back. Their rich Hindu heritage, enterprising nature of its people with maritime trade traces back to hundreds or even thousands of years. Further, they are high on literacy, health and other social indices. 'One size fits all' should be shunned; strategies and action plans specific to these two States should be drawn up.
The challenge for the BJP to break into the citadels of Tamil Nadu and Kerala is hard. Approaching these two unique States as head of the Union Government is not sufficient armour for poll wins. It should have its ear to the ground and work towards being accepted by their people as one among them. They should emit what I loosely translate here as 'fragrance of the soil' — manvaasanai. The ripe banana is peeled and kept ready. There is also sugar beside that to dip into and turn it into a relish. Will the BJP seize the moment?
(The writer is a political activist and an advocate; views are personal.)
