My column published today’s (13-6-2024)The Pioneer ( Delhi edition) BJP must enlarge its imprint in TN, Kerala.
தமிழகத்திலும் கேரளாவிலும் பாஜக தனது அரசியல்த் தளத்தையும் களத்தையும் காண வேண்டும் எனில்
வாக்கரசியலுக்காக என்ன செய்ய வேண்டும் எப்படியான முயற்சிகள் எடுக்க வேண்டும் என்பது குறித்து நான் எழுதியுள்ள கட்டுரை டில்லி பயோனீர் ஆங்கிலப் பத்திரிக்கையில் இன்று வெளியாகி உள்ளது. ஆர்வம் உள்ளவர்கள் வாசிக்கலாம்.!
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After the defeat of Congress in 1967, Tamil Nadu has been a sort of a bi-party state. The two Dravidian parties - DMK and ADMK – have been the sole occupants of Fort St.George. The poor voters, fed on a diet of the dogma called, Dravidam, have unknowingly created an illusion of entitlement and privilege for the two Dravidian parties. What DMK grandiosely peddled as its paradigm-shifting political philosophy, the platform of social justice, has been quietly dismantled to build personal edifices for its first family.
It won’t be long before the citizens of Tamil Nadu would unmask the façade of Dravidianism, and truly embrace the spirit of nationalism. But this can be better served if BJP which has, within a decade, transformed the world image of India into one of assertiveness, boldness and competence. Assertiveness of what is truly good for India in the global forum. Boldness in pursuing policies that unite and strengthen the nation into a Vasudeva Kudumbakam. Competence in chartering into areas driven by science and technology for Viksit Bharat – Digital India, Startup India, Covid vaccines are a few of the many key initiatives by BJP to drive the Indian growth story forward.
It must be admitted that these initiatives have not only powered the growth of India but have also stoked the interest of world’s political and business leaders making Mr. Modi the poster boy of development. Tamil Nadu has only much to gain from these. However, in the specific context of electoral wins in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, BJP should have its ear close to the ground. Omandur Ramaswamy Reddiyar, the first Premier of the Madras Presidency, was the original proponent of social justice - Madras Temple Entry Authorization Act 1947 and the Devadasi Dedication Abolition Act of 1947 were passed during his period. He rendered yeoman service for Tamil language, promotion of literacy through compulsory primary education and agriculture. In 1947. With the help of Sri. P.Thooran, a Tamil poet-scholar, and Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sri. Avinashilingam Chettiar, Ramaswamy Reddiar published Tamil's first encyclopedia, Kalaik Kalanjiyam. It was such a man who said that TN & Kerala were unique regions that require unique approaches for governance.
As a keen observer of Tamil Nadu politics for more than five decades, I have noted with interest and intrigue issues that have been part of the ethos and economy of these two states. However, confining the discussion here to Tamil Nadu, I would wager that its uniqueness spans the spectrum of language, culture, religious practices, including deep cultural relationship it shares not only with the contiguous states but also with countries across the ocean. It is unfortunate that a state which could have scaled much greater peaks – culturally and economically - has been left to be overtaken by the two alternating Dravidian parties for over five decades – all in the name of one family! Politics in Tamil Nadu has been reduced to false promises, street corner harangues and hollow talks commendable only for their rhythmic intonation and alliterative stunts.
EELAM & SRI LANKAN ISSUES
The Tamils of Sri Lanka, even long after the civil war has ended, continue to be denied their rightful share of opportunities and dignity – politically and economically. Their religious beliefs have also been breached. There has been large-scale encroachment of Hindu places of worship by non-Hindus in Sri Lanka, a country which Tamils made their home centuries back. It is estimated that Sri Lanka has demolished over 2000 Hindu temples of various sizes in Triconmalee. Every effort should be made through diplomatic negotiations to preserve the religion in a place which has only been enriched by the heritage of Tamils.
At this juncture, I recollect the complicity of DMK in the handing over on a platter one of the family jewels of Tamil Nadu – Kachchatheevu – by Congress. BJP should review this to heal the emotional wound of Tamilians, especially of those along the coast in South Tamil Nadu. We should recognise that Indian Tamils are like our buffer state – it is our vicarious liability to resolve the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka. It would require only a person of stature like Modi to look beyond the surface for a permanent solution – Rights and liberty for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. And the security of India. In addition to this, the issue of ambiguity in fishing areas for the fishermen of Tamil Nadu should be settled as this has caused frequent skirmishes between them with their counterparts in Sri Lanka and even the capture of Tamil fishermen and seizing of their vessels by the Sri Lankan Navy.
INDIAN OCEAN REGION & OTHER THREATS
What once used to be a peaceful zone has become an importantgeopolitical space for India. The growing Chinese presence in Sri Lanka may not only de-prioritise the Tamil issue for the Sri Lankan government, it will also be a threat to India's security. The reins of Colombo Port Eastern Terminal and Hambantota Harbour are already in the hands of China. Even the controversial Kachchatheevu is not free from Chinese domination – China has put up windmills near this island and it won't be long before it sets its foot there too. China is set to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean region further. There are more in the form of army training camps in the Indian Ocean region by Pakistan, South Africa and China. After US Diego Garcia, America is on the works to build a 10-lane road infrastructure project in Sri Lanka. Add to these spy ships criss-crossing the ocean. Need I say about Mauritius, which is turning hostile to India, thanks to China? The once-peaceful zone, with the crowding of other countries, will only destabilise the region and be an imminent threat to the future of India, particularly in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu.
There are threats to India from other sides too – Pakistan in the West, Maldives & pro-China Sri Lanka in the South, Nepal and Bangladesh in the East.
TAMIL & HINDU HERITAGE, CULTURE
With close to four lakh temples, by far the most in India, Tamil Nadu is unequivocally a cradle of Sanatana Dharma. It is also home to some of the world's largest temples. More and more proof of Tamil Nadu's rich Hindu heritage and its practice in Tamil Nadu can be found in almost continual excavations of panchaloka idols, stone sculptures dating back to the Sangam era by ASI and many times even by farmers.
Bhakti literature in Tamil language has been a less spoken but most important reason for the practice of Sanatana Dharma in Tamil Nadu. Thevaram, Thiruvasagam and Divya Prabandham are still recited in agama temples with great devotion by the Tamils. Much as Dravidians would like us to believe, Tamilians are not only very religious but their pantheon of Gods that they worship includes Lord Rama for whom there are temples aplenty. God may be personal, but heritage is not.
With a history that dates back to over 6000 years with evidence of 3200-year-old civilization discovered recently.It is important for BJP to recognise that this really tugs at the heart strings of Tamilians. Mr. Modi has admirably and rightly platformed Tamil language across the country and the world abroad through Sengol and Kashi Tamil Sangam. The whole country has got a glimpse of the richness of Tamil language, culture and heritage. BJP should build on the platform it has assiduously built, much to the chagrin of the self-professed guardians of Tamil – DMK – and take it to the next level during its third term at the Centre.
IRRIGATION
Cauvery, Mullaperiyar, Paalaar & 19 other river beds – These are issues that have remained unresolved even after fifty years of Dravidian parties’ rule. These major and minor rivers are lifelines of farmers. It hurts to see that farmers across Tamil Nadu have been left to fend for themselves. BJP should campaign vigorously for this and ensure that the hands that feed us are satiated too.
Fishing harbours - Like the one in Muttom, nine more fishing harbours in places like Manapad, Valinokkam, etc should be set up along the eastern coast.
AIRPORTS & RAILWAYS
Nagapattinam & Cuddalore harbours – Additional harbours in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore will give a fillip to the coast-rich state of Tamil Nadu's economy. BJP should pitch this hard to find a berth in the state.
Railway Zone – A railway zone should be created with Tirunelveli as its headquarters and Kanyakumari, which is now strangely a part of Trivandrum zone, should be brought under it.
Airports – Many readers may be surprised to know that Tamil Nadu has more airports than they knew. It would be even more bigger news if I told you that these airports in Nagapattinam, Sholavaram, Ulundurpet, Chettinad and Kovilpatti are either semi-functional or dysfunctional. Much money has gone into these. With flight travel becoming more common, these airports should be set right and made operational.
WATERWAYS
Waterways, once an important mode of transportation in Tamil Nadu, should be revived to boost employment and economy.
On Cauvery, from Mettur to Poompuhar
On Vaigai river in Theni
On Thaamiraparani up to Tirunelveli, Srivaikuntam and parts of Kanyakumari
There are several unknown projects like these and many other micro projects which Congress put on the back-burner. Apart from generating employment for the local population, it will ease people's travel, make goods movement faster and boost the economy.
ENTERPRISE & EMPLOYMENT
Hindustan Photo Films – The plant was unceremoniously shifted from Ooty to Nainital leaving thousands of people jobless. Once the pride of Ooty, HPF should be revived by BJP.
Union Govt Press, Coimbatore– What an irony! A city known for businesses witnessed a shutdown of one of its companies by the Congress government. BJP should revive this.
Salem Steel – Any fear of privatisation should be put to rest by BJP. The government should expand and generate employment for the people of Tamil Nadu.
Manavalakurichi – Indian Rare Earth Minerals Limited, which mines the rare earth minerals abundantly found in this region should be developed further to boost the region's employment and economy.
For want of space, what I have listed above is only a miniscule number of a hundred issues plaguing the state and projects dumped into cold storage. It is important for the people of Tamil Nadu to be educated about these - the wasted resources and the disregard for their economic potential. I am soon to release a well-researched voluminous book of 500 + pages elaborating on each of these over hundred such issues that would have immensely benefited Tamil Nadu.
The pro-development BJP government should focus on reviving or developing such projects that impact the lives of and deliver all round growth for all.
DMK & POLITICS OF TAMIL NADU
The present ruling party of Tamil Nadu is now a party of turncoats. The loyal foot soldiers of DMK who walked the extra mile for party's growth and duly recognised by Kalaignar have been sidelined by his heir, Sri. M.K.Stalin. Sri. VaiKo who walked out of DMK opposing the importance given to the then heir-apparent now shares stage with the heir. MLAs who call the shots in DMK are, hold your breath, from ADMK! It would be too naive to believe that a party full of opportunists would work for the people?
WAY FORWARD FOR BJP IN TAMIL NADU
The politics of the North cannot be replicated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. These two states are unique, as observed by Omandur Ramaswamy Reddiar several decades back. Their rich Hindu heritage, enterprising nature of its people with maritime trade tracing back to several hundred or even thousand years and population which is self-assertive. Further, they are also high on literacy, health and other social indices. 'One size fits all' should be shunned. Strategies and action plans specific to these two states should be drawn up.
Sri. C.N.Annadurai rose to power in Tamil Nadu riding on the massive failure of Congress and its utter regard for regional sensibilities. So did the Communists in Kerala. Decades later, Congress tried to re-enter Tamil Nadu through its much-talked about padayatra by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989. Both he and Sonia Gandhi walked upwards from Kanyakumari in an effort to walk into the hearts of the Tamils. Newspapers and Doordarshan showed the couple sitting with the poor in the huts, sharing tea with the masses at roadside tea shops, chatting with coconut vendors and such outreach activities. The General Secretary of AICC, Sri. G.K.Moopanaar, was designated 'down' as TNCC President with the express purpose of bringing the party to power in Tamil Nadu. Yet, Congress failed. The famed padayatra by VaiKo - from Kanyakumari to Chennai via Coimbatore - to capture power in Tamil Nadu also resulted in failure. Four of MDMK's candidates, including me, lost our deposits.
Indian politics has seen many such yatra across the country by political leaders. Tamil Nadu BJP leader Sri. K.Annamalai, through his yatra, has succeeded in creating visibility for BJP and adding life and vigour to the party. There has been a groundswell of support for the yatras. While this is no mean feat, as a person who has observed Tamil Nadu politics from close quarters and also been part of many yatras, I feel that a yatra should go beyond mingling with the masses. Yes, a tailored strategy is essential for the BJP to effectively engage with the people of Tamil Nadu, given the different circumstances prevailing in the region.A yatra should go with an agenda to walk into the hearts of the people. There has been a thirst for change in Tamil Nadu from family politics and hero worship. The state needs new blood to compete not only in the Indian arena but in the global arena. BJP in Tamil Nadu would do well to borrow Modi's national vision for Tamil Nadu. But the regional leaders should dive deeper into the needs of people district-wise, understand what is simmering there and draw out a wholesome and concrete plan. Every district and Taluk should feel the pulse of BJP and recognise that the party's heart beats for its good health.
The challenge for BJP to break into the citadels of Tamil Nadu and Kerala is hard. Approaching these two unique states as head of the Union Government is not sufficient armour for wins in electoral battles. It should have its ear to the ground and work towards being accepted by their people as one among them. They should emit what I loosely translate here as 'fragrance of the soil' - manvaasanai. Taking the analogy further, I wager that BJP should do a soil test of the two fertile grounds in deciding its crop before thinking about harvesting any bumper yield. It is with this in mind that as a political scientist, social engineer and a political technocrat that I share my vision and advice so BJP can find its feet in these two states. It is, however, up to the party's bosses to take it or leave it.
The ripe banana is peeled and kept ready. There is also the sugar beside that to dip into and turn it into a relish. Will BJP seize the moment?—Poltical Activist &Advocate. rkkurunji@gmail.com. ksradhakrishnan.in
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13-6-2024,
