A.Raja, an MP for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), stated that the party is following the “Anna path” and that the centre shouldn’t press the group to call for a “Distinct Tamil Nadu country.”
The leader of the DMK, A Raja, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to give Tamil Nadu “state autonomy” instead of pressuring the state to try to become independent.
https://twitter.com/dmk_raja/status/1543535213074317313?s=20&t=g19NsdDxYgcXSDkyZfD_Bw
Though Thanthai Periyar, the Dravidian movement’s hero, advocated for an independent Tamil Nadu, Raja remarked on Sunday at a party meeting of leaders from urban local bodies. The conference was held in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu’s westernmost district.
Even though they accepted Periyar, the party stood up for honesty and democracy and said, “Long live India.” They have stayed true to this position.
“With extreme humility, I tell Amit Shah and the Prime Minister, I implore you in the presence of our leaders on the dais, our Chief Minister is going on the route of Anna (C N Annadurai, previous Chief Minister and DMK founder); do not force us on the path of Periyar.”
Do not force us to pursue independence; instead, give us state autonomy, and we will not rest till then.”
Raja’s comments drew a harsh backlash on social media, with some criticising him for his separatist remarks and others supporting him.
C.T. Ravi, the national general secretary of the BJP, said that the DMK leader’s comments about the need for an independent Tamil Nadu were the party’s way of admitting that its Dravidian politics had failed.
The J P Nadda-led party’s Tamil Nadu in-charge said the BJP’s development in the state has put pressure on the ruling DMK.
“If they (DMK) are talking about such things in Tamil Nadu after five decades of politics, it is apparent that the BJP’s development is putting the heat on them, and they are realizing that their ideology has failed,” Ravi said in Bengaluru.
Narayanan Tirupathi, vice president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, called Raja’s statement “blatantly divisive.” However, this was not surprising given the DMK’s reputation for being “divisive.”
But what is shocking and amazing is that Chief Minister M K Stalin did nothing and just watched. I despise his quiet. He took the oath of office and pledged loyalty to the Constitution. ”
The ruling party in Tamil Nadu should comprehend that “India has formed states for administrative functions, and that is exactly what the Constitution says.”
Constantine Ravindran, a spokesman for the DMK, said that Raja has made it clear that the party has followed Anna’s lead and fully supports India’s integrity and democratic ideals. This was in response to criticism of the comment.
Raja’s message was that Tamil Nadu should be given the power to work on development and defend its rights, as the Constitution says it should.
Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi stated that he had not given his assent to numerous bills passed by the State Assembly and wondered if the Union government intended to stymie growth.
According to him, the state government has no powers under the BJP-led administration.
It should be noted that Raja’s remark comes against the backdrop of the DMK’s continued use of the word “Ondriya Arasu” (Union government) in Tamil to refer to the Centre since it took power in the state in May 2021.
Though ‘Mathiya Arasu’ is a more widespread usage, the DMK has chosen ‘Ondriya Arasu’ to emphasize “federalism” ideas and to promote “state autonomy.” According to the Constitution, India is a union of states, according to the DMK.
The BJP and right-wing groups have often argued that harping on ‘Ondriya Arasu’ use has divisive undertones.
Such a worldview saw the country as an artificial construction erected by the British. India, on the other hand, is a cultural and spiritual entity that has had many rulers over the centuries.
