In a recent event held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Mano Thangaraj, the Milk and Dairy Minister, expressed his views, stating, “The mention of ‘Dravidam’ triggers tension across the country, and it’s a topic that warrants discussion and deliberation. Political parties in the Indian subcontinent that hold contrasting ideologies with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Sangh Parivar organisations – Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) specifically – present a challenge to these groups today. It’s imperative to elevate these ideologies, extending their reach beyond Tamil Nadu to the northern states of India, as it’s a necessity in the current scenario.”
He remarked, “Presently, the Uttar Pradesh Government is preparing to commemorate the consecration of the Ram Mandir. The UP Government’s Tourism and Culture department has issued communications to all state leaders and district heads, requesting them to organise Ram Bhajans in the State’s temples dedicated to Ram, Hanuman, and Valmiki. How can a country that upholds secularism in its constitution partake in such activities? By utilising governmental resources in a secular nation, they are giving a religious hue to the event and transforming it into a political matter. The Valmiki temples are frequently visited by members of the Schedule Caste community, who constitute 22 per cent of the voting populace. Targeting these individuals who visit Valmiki temples seems to have an underlying agenda. It sends a threatening message.”
He was unaware that the Nagapattinam Bus stand was designed resembling a Christian church. He perceives it as a secular structure that extends subsidies for pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Haj, donates sandal logs for Sandalwood Paste festivals, and provides significant amounts of rice to mosques for preparing Ramzan gruel. In his view, greeting and participating in Christmas and Ramzan iftar fasting with their respective attire are acts of secularism. However, he believes that wishing Hindu festivals is considered non-secular.
The minister, who seems to harbor anti-Hindu sentiments, stated, “I hail from Kanyakumari district, and you’re all aware of the challenges I encounter with certain groups. They view the DMK, Dravidian parties, and the concept of Dravidam as adversaries because we effectively expose the true nature of RSS and Sangh Parivar organisations.”
Amidst the recurring debates of Centre versus State and North versus South, Mano Thangaraj remarked, “Who is prioritising social justice today? When Anna spoke about federalism, it was not comprehended by many; similarly, the concept remains elusive to most even today. When we seek our rightful funds, an arrogant response is received. We are merely asking for what rightfully belongs to us. The Finance Commission had initially allocated 42 percent of GST to us, yet it was reduced to 29 per cent. How is this not favoring Hindi-speaking states over others? Several parliamentarians have been expelled, with a majority hailing from non-Hindi-speaking states. What does this pattern indicate? It suggests that states opposing the Hindi language and rejecting the Hindutva ideology are the ones in opposition or standing against the BJP/Sangh Parivar parties, allowing them to flourish. These parties lack substantial public welfare schemes. Instead, they cling to issues like the Ram Mandir and the Babri Masjid, using them to stoke political tensions.”
In the video, Mano Thangaraj highlighted, “The BJP is actively recruiting and paying salaries to 500 individuals to propagate derogatory hashtags against our leaders on a daily basis. These hashtags are filled with degrading language aimed at our leaders. While they incentivise individuals for such actions, our supporters often remain passive. This is a matter of deep concern. Whenever we post content criticising the BJP, they swiftly notice and flood the comments section with immediate responses. I once inquired with a friendly RSS member about their rapid reactions. Surprisingly, within seconds of receiving notifications, they flood the platform with negative comments. This constant onslaught demoralizes our supporters, leaving us defenseless. It’s important to realize that the BJP and RSS we oppose are not solitary entities; there are multiple organisations at play. To counter their influence, we need more publications and organisations on our side. It’s evident that they possess numerous organisations, each working in their favor.”
“They persistently propagate falsehoods and disseminate fabricated information. Let’s grasp a fundamental point here: when faced with an individual armed with an AK-47, we can’t retaliate with a mere stick. There should be no expectation of mercy from them. Their primary focus lies in indoctrinating people across districts with divisive ideologies. Their efforts are meticulously planned. The term ‘Dravidam’ poses a significant challenge to them because it represents our advocacy for gender equality, the decentralization of power, and our opposition to centralised power accumulation. We advocate for a remarkable philosophy emphasising state autonomy, as states are currently being misled and deceived.”
The Minister asserted, “Dravidian organisations stand out as the true proponents of secularism within the Indian subcontinent. Others appear to lack a clear stance, leading to their predicaments. Countering the Hindutva faction, which deceives the public without a concrete ideology, with the appropriate tools will undoubtedly result in their defeat. This poses a threat to the entire nation and its democratic principles. In a world where democracy holds paramount importance, within a country acclaimed as the world’s largest democracy, an organisation is actively working against the sustenance of democracy.”
Previously, in an undated video, he was observed stating that North Indians fluent in Hindi are struggling to find decent jobs outside their respective states and are wandering around in a state of destitution.
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