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Chennai: In a recent development, the DMK government’s Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) examination has become the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism due to its portrayal of a revered freedom fighter in a negative light. This incident has sparked a heated debate surrounding the depiction of historical figures and their contributions.
Over the past few years, a disconcerting trend has emerged, tarnishing the struggles and sacrifices of freedom fighters in Tamil Nadu. The most recent instance involves the portrayal of Vanchinathan as a killer by the TNPSC paper setters, which has raised objections from various quarters.
This is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger narrative that seeks to belittle the role of well-known and unsung heroes while glorifying English officials. A notable example is the narrative surrounding the assassination of Collector Ashe, wherein Dravidian stocks have portrayed Ashe as a “crusader of social justice” and labelled Vanchinathan as a casteist Brahmin.
According to this narrative, it is claimed that Vanchinathan, driven by provocation from Ashe’s wife, Mary Lillian Patterson, took the drastic step of assassinating Ashe. Patterson allegedly assisted a pregnant outcast woman in urgent need of medical treatment to pass through the agraharam, a locality dominated by Brahmins. The proponents of this claim argue that Vanchinathan’s act was an attempt to protect the Brahminical establishment. However, it is important to note that there is no concrete evidence supporting the occurrence of such an incident.
In the recently held Group 1 examination that was conducted July 13, 2024, TNPSC included a question that stated, “Who was the first accused in Ashe murder’s case?.” This question has offended many individuals and sparked criticism of the TNPSC on the internet and social media.
Hindu Munani concludes its statement by demanding an immediate apology from the Tamil Nadu government, addressing the TNPSC office, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and the leader of the ruling party, MK Stalin, with the following message: “Tamil Nadu government should immediately apologize for this… @TNPSC_Office @CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin.”
The statement said “It is the TNPSC examination board that has questioned Indian freedom fighter Vanchinathan in the question paper as a murderer! Don’t denigrate the sacrifice of a hero who died for our nation like this! Don’t spread hatred among the younger generation! Tamil Nadu government should immediately apologize for this… @TNPSC_Office @CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin,”
https://twitter.com/hindumunnani_tn/status/1812831525634761187 Further added.
Another netizen shared his displeasure by stating, “Vanjinathan guilty in TNPSC GROUP 1 question, Not only the eyes..! The whole body is disturbed! This is what happens when traitors are in power?”
Vanchinathan gained prominence by assassinating Robert Ashe, the district collector of Tirunelveli on June 17 1911, at Maniyachchi railway station. Vanchinathan targeted Robert William Escourt d’Ashe because Ashe was instrumental in the arrest of V.O.Chidambaranar Pillai (V.O.C) and in dismantling the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company founded by V.O.C. Ashe, an ICS officer serving as collector of Tinnevely district (now Tirunelveli), earned the ire of many young nationalists who turned to vigilantism against British authorities. Vanchinathan’s act of assassinating Ashe symbolised their commitment to complete independence (Poorna Swaraj) from British rule.
It was part of the Bharatha Matha Association, a group of revolutionary youth planning actions against British colonial rule, Vanchinathan aimed to send a direct message to King George V, who had permitted the use of cowhide in military equipment. Vanchinathan, after killing Robert Ashe, took his own life while attempting to evade capture. The assassination marked a significant moment in the South Indian independence movement, fuelling the revolutionary spirit against British domination.
In Tamil Nadu, some outfits, every year remember Ashe’s killing by visiting his cemetery. Vanchinathan, a fiery freedom fighter was only 20 years old when he killed the merciless and discriminatory British Collector Robert William d’Escourt Ashe on June 17, 1911 at Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district. He later chose to take his own life with a pistol rather than getting arrested by the British. More than a century later, the Dravidian chauvinism has decayed Tamil politics to a a level where the dreaded British Collector Robert William d’Escourt Ashe is honoured by the anti-National forces and freedom fighter Vanchinathan is denied his due tribute. Aathi Tamizhar Katchi paid ‘Veera Vanakkam’ (Bravery Salute) to Ashe at his tomb at the premises of English Church opposite to St John’s college, Palayamkottai. The event to pay tribute to Vanchinathan was hindered due to the ruckus caused by the Darvidian outfits.
Now the government itself belittles the fame of the fiery freedom fighter Vanchinathan by a question. Critics points “ efforts are on to Christianise education in TN by people like Dinidugal Leoni, Suba Veerapandian and some Christian preachers who had been appointed in government’s important bodies that frames syllabus and text books. They are trying to school drop out Karunanidhi as a scholar in three wing of Tamil and a freedom fighter, championed social justice, prime mover of Tamil development etc which are nothing but utter falsehood”.
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