CHENNAI: The call of Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani to “reject the Aryan leaders” in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections has been seen by many as a ploy to promote the politics of Dravidianism, particularly that of the DMK, in the State.
The DK leader, who is supporting the DMK in the State, has used his anti-Brahmin rhetoric quite brazenly in his meetings. And his latest comment to vote for only Dravidian leaders in the Lok Sabha elections, many believe, can be seen as a move to alienate the Brahmin community in the State.
The occasion was the function to stage DMK founder Anna’s famous play Sivaji Kanda Hindu Rajyam at the Periyar Thidal in the city on April 10. The DK leader had reportedly said that on that day, Periyar and Anna had to launch a campaign against the Brahmins in the State in the early fifties -- at a time when the Aryan domination was at its zenith.
Veeramani also deplored that some Dravidian leaders had become slaves of an Aryan in the State, though there were enough indications to throw up the idea that the MDMK, Left parties and the PMK had come under the influence of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa.
The Brahmins in the city had taken these remarks of the DK leader against them very seriously with many of them openly saying that they would not vote for a Dravidian party like the DMK this time, which enjoyed the support of the DK. They said that they would choose some other party, which would be ready to work for the welfare of the Brahmin community in the State.
M Narayanan of Triplicane, a bank employee, said that he would vote for the BJP this time though he had cast his vote for the AIADMK during last time.
S Sundaram, a doctor in Royapettah, said that he would not vote for the Dravidian parties like the DMK and the AIADMK this time, and instead vote for a party that carried an agenda to promote the welfare of the Brahmins. He said that he preferred a party like the BJP to others in the poll fray.
K Doraiswamy of Perambur, a retired government servant, while criticising the DK leader’s support to the DMK, wanted to know why Veeramani had once extended his support to AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, even after knowing her Aryan leanings, when she was in power in 2001. Was it to safeguard the vast immmoveable property enjoyed by him in the name of Periyar Trust, he asked? He also questioned the wisdom of DK leader in betraying her and joining hands with DMK leader M Karunanidhi, a sworn Dravidian.