India SocioPolitics

Most of the people reading this blog may have heard/read the controversial comments made on Sanatana Dharma by Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin. At the the Sanathan Abolition Conclave organized by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association in Chennai on Saturday, September 2, 2023 Udhyanishi declared, “A few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. We have to eradicate this, that's how we have to eradicate Sanatana. Rather opposing Sanatana it should be eradicated”. People of Tamil Nadu are used to this kind of crude, offensive anti-Hindu tirade, thanks to Erode Venkata Ramasamy Naicker, 'Father of the Dravidian movement’, lovingly known as Periyar, In this social media age, this rant received nation-wide attention and condemnation. In response, Stalin doubled down and said, “ I have not said anything which is not said by Periyar.” 

Is that true? Did Periyar say such awful things? 

A quick search of Periyar quotes bring up the following: 

 “Human progress can only be achieved through reason and science, not through blind faith.” 

 “There is no god, there is no god, there is no god at all. He who invented god is a fool. He who propagates god is a scoundrel. He who worships god is a barbarian.” 

 "So far as god is concerned we find the Christians and Muslims, somewhat reformed from the olden days of barbarians. They say that there can be only one God. They say that it is beyond human comprehension. They say that God does good to those who are good and punishes those who are bad.” 

Some critics read these quotes and say Periyar was a hypocrite: 

https://llrr.quora.com/This-is-the-real-face-of-Periyar-the-favorite-tool-of-Tamil-Nationalists-https-www-quora-com-What-is-your-review-of 

His followers, however, say the quotes are misinterpreted and he is a true reformer: https://theperiyarproject.com/2022/07/24/periyar-on-god-a-commentary/ 

Why is Udhayanidhi Stalin taking on the mantle of Periyar’s legacy at this point of time and making waves? To understand this, let us delve into who this guy is. Udhaynidhi (treasure of ascent/success in Sanskrit) is the grandson of Muthuvel Karunanidhi who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (TN) for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. As everyone knows in TN, Karunanidhi, true to his name, is a treasure of mercy and he named one of his sons after another merciful man from Soviet Union: Joseh Stalin who was a hero to many important people in India (including India’s first prime minister, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru). Stalin implemented the first 5-year plan in USSR which Nehru’s Congress Govt. adopted. But most of the world including current day Russia does not remember Stalin with the same fondness: Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler are regarded as the two most brutal dictators and mass murderers of the 20th century. But the name worked its magic for Karunanidhi’s son, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin who won bitter political succession contest with his elder brother, Muthuvel Karunanidh Aliagiri to claim DMK throne. Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin is the current chief minister of TN. Obviously, he did not want to give up the good luck charm of Stalin name and named his son Udayanidhi Stalin. 

Udayanidhi Stalin started his professional career in Film industry as a producer and distributor, and acted as a hero in several hit movies. His production studio Red Giant Movies rules the Tamil film industry. He joined active politics ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when he was appointed a secretary of the DMK’s youth wing. He contested and won his first election for an assembly seat in 2021. A year later, his father made him the minister of Youth Welfare and Sports and fulfilled his wife Durga’s desire to guarantee a smooth succession of their son in DMK party. 

Clearly, the family believes the high priest of DMK party must be from the Karunanidhi clan. It is made clear to the DMK ranks that they can not dream to ascend the high altar of DMK for at least one more generation. Only Udhayanidhi is qualified to do so. The DMK ranks accepted their fate without any whisper of protest. When Annadurai said, “Ondre Kulam Oruvane Deivam (there is one clan and one God), he meant only one (Karunanidhi) kulam can produce chief ministers in TN. So much for Periyar’s social justice! Periyar did not seek power and he discarded his kulam name. But this clan continues to hang on to the name of Stalin and the power of government. 

When things are going so well, why is Udhayanidhi making a clarion call to eradicate Santana dharma? Obviously, he is not threatened internally. Is he sensing a mood change of voters before the next elections? Elsewhere in India, power of the family based political parties are declining. BJP, he so crudely vilifies for following Sanatana principles, has made a chai-wala, Narendra Modi from a backward caste the Prime Minister of India and an adivasi lady, Draupadi Murmu the President of India. Modi included a large number of BC, SC, ST, Dalit and minority members in his ministry. In contrast, the Dravidian parties failed miserably to empower these communities and achieve much progress on social justice in Tamil Nadu in spite of holding power for five decade. 

The junior Stalin wants to divert attention of voters away from this dark contrast. He doesn’t have the option of Periyar’s modus operandi of rousing mass emotions by publicly breaking of Ganesha idols and burning copies of Kamba Ramayanam or Periyapuranam because they have become worshipers of the idols of Periyar and his anti-sanatana gospel. Frustrated by this reality Udhayanidhi Stalin is enacting a high octave hate drama to save his political future.