Why Tamil Nadu is likely to be a battleground for conflicting, contradictory ideologies (Sandhya Ravishankar)

By Sandhya Ravishankar

If Tamil Nadu's recent history is rich in progressive ideas, it is in large part due to Periyar EV Ramasamy Naicker's rationalist self-respect movement. Thanks to this social reformer, the Tamil populace has grown up with and imbibed liberal ideals such as the struggle against Brahmin hegemony, social justice for the depressed classes, equality of men and women, self-respect marriages without 'thali' or 'mangalsutra', which was seen as a symbol of slavery of women, anti-Hindi agitations, atheism and opening the sanctum sanctorum of temples to all castes, to name a few.

But now Periyar country is seeing a sudden rise is vitriol as a clash of extremes takes place, vying for a connect with the youth of Tamil Nadu. The trouble began in early March, with a private Tamil television channel airing a promo regarding a recorded debate on whether the 'Thali' is a boon or a bane for women. On March 7, fringe pro-Hindu outfit Hindu Munnani protested outside the channel's headquarters. A day later, the Hindu Makkal Katchi joined the protests and manhandled a crew member of the channel. On March 12, a low intensity 'tiffin box' bomb was hurled at the office in Chennai in the wee hours of the morning allegedly by a fringe outfit called the Hindu Youth Sena — this, despite the channel calling off telecast of the show.

Showdown Time By this time, the buzz of anger within the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and like-minded groups was palpable. Ninety years after the Dravidian self-respect movement was launched by Periyar, the DK and its ideology appeared to be facing a test of relevance, however slight. The DK decided to cock a snook at two ticklish issues — by conducting a 'thali' removal function, followed by a beef banquet as a symbolic protest against the beef ban in Maharashtra and Haryana.

"No one has any right to curb freedom of speech and expression," says K Veeramani, president of the DK. "We are not a fascist country. That is why we decided to conduct this," he said.

The Chennai police, fearing clashes, refused to give permission to the DK to conduct the planned ceremony. The DK moved the Madras High Court — the hearing went on until 9 pm on April 13. The Court finally passed orders by 9.30 pm that night — the 'thali' removal ceremony and beef feast could finally take place.

DK members knew that either the government or the Hindutva groups would head right back to the court the next day and try to get a stay on the function. They decided to hold the function much earlier. "We started the 'thali' removal ceremony at 6.45 am on the 14th of April, Tamil New Year's day," says Veeramani. "By 8 am the whole function was over."

An incensed state government called for a stay on allowing this function to continue. Despite it being a court holiday on account of Tamil New Year's day, a new bench was called and the matter heard at the residence of one of two judges of the Madras High Court, a move which Veeramani calls "highly unusual". The advocate general appeared on behalf of the state and strongly pushed for a stay on the event, citing law and order issues. The two-judge bench ordered a stay. But by then, the 'thali' removal ceremony was over. The beef lunch was parcelled out to the participants and everyone went home.

Hindutva outfits began isolated protests in various parts of the state soon after. A small group of Shiv Sena men attempted to enter Periyar Thidal, headquarters of the DK in Chennai, to protest. A scuffle ensued between the two groups and police resorted to a mild lathicharge to impose order. "People from the red-light area were brought in for the 'thali' removal ceremony," said H Raja, national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a volatile pro-Hindu voice in the state. This statement added fuel to the fire.

Between April 20 and April 21, three Brahmin priests had been attacked in Chennai by a lesser known arm of the DK. The Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam cut the sacred thread of these priests as they were walking along the road. One of them, an 80-year-old priest, sustained injuries to his hand as well.

This has once again kicked off a storm within the BJP in the state, with BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan condemning the incident saying, "Those who disturb peace should be punished severely by law. These are cowardly acts that deserve strong condemnation."

Union minister of state for road transport & highways and shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan too chipped in with a high-decibel retort. "Instead of taking on ideology with ideology, these cowardly elements have chosen to attack an old helpless man. If such incidents continue, the repercussions will be severe," he warned.

[...] FULL TEXT AT: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-05-10/news/62001678_1_tamil-new-thali-dk