Tamil Nadu, known for its rich intellectual heritage, has witnessed a concerning transformation in recent years. The evolution of Dravidian politics, combined with the influence of certain individuals and ideologies, has raised questions about the state’s commitment to its once-celebrated legacy of knowledge and education.

The history of Tamil Nadu is replete with tales of learned scholars, remarkable rulers, and a populace known for its intellectual acumen. However, the introduction of the Justice Party and the subsequent rise of Dravidian politics have shifted the state’s intellectual landscape. This transformation has been further compounded by the support and influence of figures like Robert Caldwell, a school dropout and a controversial figure who played a significant role in creating a wedge between the people of the state, which also aided the spread of Dravidian ideology. The Dravidian movement has had a lasting impact on the state and not without its controversies. 

Be it the support for Pakistan or terrorists in Palestine (Hamas), it is always the people from Tamil Nadu who believed in the Dravidian ideology who come first to do it – without a basic understanding of the issue at hand. 

Heck, it was these Dravidianists who even opposed the abrogation of Article 370. 

Support for Hamas & Palestine

Here is an example of a demonstration of support in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Students of New College in Chennai on October 25th demonstrated in support of Palestinians and their demand for a separate state. They also justified the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, saying it was done in response to the earlier attacks by Israel.

A student at the demonstration says, “Hamas came to power after winning the elections democratically. How can you call them invalid after winning the elections? It is unfair that Jews must rule even after Hamas won. When Hamas is striking back, they are labelled as terrorists by the media. No media talks about what happened before this.”

A large number of people from the Muslim community in Coimbatore, including women, came out in support of Palestine and labelled Bharat as a terrorist state along with Israel. They condemned PM Modi for being the first PM to go to Israel on an official visit. 

Chants for Pakistan

The recent Jai Shri Ram chant episode at Ahmedabad during the India-Pak match was “condemned” by several Dravidianists of TN. Even the DMK Minister and son of Chief Minister Stalin, Udhayanidhi (who called for eradicating Sanathana Dharma), tweeted about this.

Some other “influencers” said this was not how an educated crowd that should not have behaved in such a manner.

Here’s another handle on X, who prefers to pull down her own Bharatiya bandhus and show off her love for the Pakistanis.

We also had a Congress member who was “praying” for a Pakistani victory.

Want more? During the Pak-Afg match, several people from the state turned up in Pakistani/green jerseys and chanted Pakistan Zindabad slogans while the DJ played “Dil Dil Pakistan.” 

The police were also found throwing the Bharatiya tricolour into the dustbin when fans and hawkers were showcasing them. The police officer was later reprimanded. 

Tamil Nadu – A land of many greats

Ironically, a land that gave birth to great kings like Rajaraja Chozha, great freedom fighters like Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Marudhu Brothers, Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, KodiKaatha Kumaran (Tiruppur Kumaran) and Veera Vanchinathan, Subramaniya Bharati, Subramaniya Siva, Kappal Otiya Tamizhan – VOC Pillai, Muthuramalinga Thevar (the list can go on) is now a land that showcases stupidity and ignorance much to the disgust and embarrassment of the well-meaning people living there, all thanks to Dravidian separatist ideology fed by the likes of GU Pope and Robert Caldwell.

Dravidian ideologues like EVR and Karunanidhi equate these characters to God and propagate the lie called Aryan Invasion Theory and that the Aryans (aka the Brahmins) oppressed the Dravidians for more than 2000 years. 

Despite presenting concrete evidence, such as the archaeological discoveries at Keeladi and Rakhigarhi, which strongly challenge the Aryan Invasion Theory, proponents of Dravidian ideology often remain steadfast in their beliefs. It is puzzling that these individuals continue to embrace narratives propagated by their Dravidian leaders, seemingly undeterred by the weight of contradictory proof.

Be it art, be it literature, be it spirituality, Tamil Nadu as Governor RN Ravi puts it, is a punya bhumi, but when one looks at the current affairs of the state, it doesn’t feel so. The HR&CE department squandering temple wealth and several temples in a state of disrepair – this is not how the forefathers of the state envisioned it to become.

Tamil Nadu’s glorious intellectual and cultural legacy is at risk of being overshadowed by these divisive ideologies. The hope for a resurgence of the state’s rich heritage now flickers in the wake of a younger generation exposed to the prevalence of Dravidian ideas in media and education.