Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai just said the unthinkable in a state where Dravidian ideologue is revered by many. Annamalai declared that, once the BJP comes to power in the state, the statue of EV Ramasamy Naicker, known as ‘Periyar,’ located outside the Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam, and similar statues in other temples, will be removed. 

What is the significance of this?

As a part of his padayatra across the 234 constituencies of Tamil Nadu, Annamalai reached Srirangam in Tiruchirapalli district, where he addressed a large gathering on November 7, 2023. He criticised the DMK and other Dravidianist parties for installing a plaque outside the Ranganathar Temple that denigrated believers in god. This statue and the plaque that said, ‘Those who believe in god are fools; those who believe in god have been tricked. Do not believe in god.’ 

He vowed that under BJP rule, the plaque and flagpole would be removed, and statues of revered figures such as Azhwars, Nayanmars, Tamil scholars, and freedom fighters would be installed and worshipped.

Notably, the 12-foot-high statue of EVR outside the Srirangam temple was installed in December 2006 by K. Veeramani, the head of the Dravidar Kazhagam, a group associated with EVR. The statue was unveiled amidst protests by various Hindu organizations. Post this, members of the Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK) damaged the statue, and this led to incidents of violence across the state. 

Did EVR target Hindu Dharma alone?

Periyar, or EVR, was known for his “rationalist” approach and preached rationalism to his followers and believers of the Dravidian ideology. He even ensured his devout wife stopped going to the temple by putting her through harassment by the youth he instructed to carry out the task. EVR did condemn Islam; he advocated for the abolishment of purdah and encouraged free intermingling between men and women, emphasizing mutual attraction and understanding for marriages. They questioned the practice of hiding women behind religious veils.

However, as the movement gained momentum, it faced resistance from different religious communities, especially Muslims. P. Kalifullah, a Muslim League leader, criticized the application of atheist principles to Islam by the Self-Respect Movement. The Dar-ul-Islam publication warned against Dravidian race politics and cautioned against elevating figures like Tiruvalluvar to the status of prophets.

In response to this resistance, EV Ramasamy seemed to change his stance. He indicated a willingness to accept Ambedkar and his followers turning to Islam if it meant escaping the untouchability imposed by Hinduism. The Dravidian leader even expressed commonality between the original “Dravidian” religion and Islam, suggesting a convergence.

Is there a statue outside a mosque or a church?

While there aren’t many, there are probably a few statues outside churches and mosques. However, these mosques and churches might not hold the same relevance and significance for Muslims and Christians as the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple does for Hindus. 

The Srirangam temple stands as the first and most important temple, especially for Vaishnavaites as it is considered as the first of the 108 divyadesams dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu. As an attempt to insult the Brahmin community (who were the ones that Dravidianists loved to pick on), the DK installed the statue and the plaque outside the temple. 

The Srirangam connection to Annamalai’s vow

The fact that Annamalai took the vow outside the Srirangam temple has greater significance on a nationalist level. In June 1801, the Marudhu Brothers, who were the de-facto rulers in the region of Sivaganga, declared their defiance against the British from the Srirangam Temple, marking the historic Jambudweepa Declaration, vowing not to submit to British rule.

Centuries later, Annamalai making another proclamation to take the Dravidianist forces head on has resonated with a large number of Hindus in the region positively.