MR Venkatesh
“Spiritual Politics.” With just these two words Rajinikanth not only announced his long pending yet timely entry into Politics but also signalled a tectonic shift in the manner politics is practiced and preached within Tamil Nadu. What has been exasperating for nationalist forces in Tamil Nadu is that Dravidian politics—the dominant political force within Tamil Nadu—is rooted in all that is anti-national since its inception. Not many readers may know that some of the Dravidian leaders in the pre-Independence era pleaded with the British not to grant freedom to India. In the alternative some begged Jinnah to include Tamil Nadu with Pakistan during the Partition of India. In fact, the rise of Dravidian politics pre-independence was fuelled by the British and some western scholars like Max Muller to exploit every possible faultlines in the Indian society. Dravidian politics is a successful remnant of this divide and rule policy of the British.
No wonder post Independence the Dravidian Politics virtually was an extension of its pre-Independence nurturing and tutoring by the British. Thus everything that was national was hated, opposed and despised by Dravidian politicians. In the process Hindus were ridiculed and their religious practices lampooned even as Tamil saints had over the millennia embellished the great Tamil language with their writings that have in effect defined Hinduism, Hindu practices and Hindu traditions. Crucially, Rationalism was the veneer to question all that was Hindu and Nationalist. But pithily Dravidian politics, like their Marxian counterparts the worldover, attempted to begin to create a society with a clean slate with a complete purge from the past. All these in a society that is rooted to spirituality.
And the dichotomy in a society that was rooted to spirituality and a polity that was completely divorced from the societal moorings was absolutely palpable. Rajini’s entry is precisely aimed at bridging this chasm between a polity—that is divisive, rootless and rabid and a society that has survived over five decades of this calamitous approach adopted by the polity.
But this journey will not be easy. Rajini will be aware that Dravidian politics is a curious amalgam of Marx, Missionaries and Mullas with the Media acting as a front. That would explain the opposition to his entry in large sections of the media—read establishment in Tamil Nadu. This is his first acid test. But the support that he has received from the society is phenomenal which is reflected in the social media—read society.
It may be recalled that his entry into politics last week was preceded by virtually over two decades of contemplation. Zen like, Rajini has been cryptic in his communication with his fans on his impending entry into politics all these years. Surely, he must be aware of the challenge. And that is not merely political but something more. Rajini needs to re-fashion how politics is practiced in Tamil Nadu, bridge the divide between the society and polity and integrate spirituality into politics
of Tamil Nadu. Rajini has probably unwittingly committed all these when he promised Spiritual Politics.
But that is merely the beginning. He needs to communicate more, directly and specifically to his potential voters. He has to spell out plans, policies and programmes, and how he hopes to achieve the same. From the reception that he received from the
common man it is apparent that the people are ready for his brand of Spiritual Politics. The Billion Dollar question remains—Is Rajini ready?
(The writer is a Chartered Accountant &
political commentator)
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