I have always been very clear about my position on Dravidam and Thanthai Periyar as a Tamil Nationalist. But since this a question that keeps coming up again and again, i thought ill put it in writing. My problem with Dravidam is not related to its ideology. I don’t see Dravidam and Tamil Nationalism as conflicting ideologies; I see them as ideologies that complement each other. My criticism of Dravidam is purely restricted to its claim as an alternative to the 'Tamil' identity or the political identity of the Tamil Nation. The idea that we should identify ourselves primarily as Dravidians is something that I don’t agree with, and the whole notion that the Dravidian identity is necessary to highlight the casteless nature of the Tamils is utter bullshit. Secondly, my criticism of Dravidam is related to the Dravidian political brand in electoral politics, which paved the way for the institutionalization of caste (as Prof. Tho. Paramasivan himself established in his...
The passing of EVKS Elangovan, former leader of the Tamil Nadu Congress, has evoked a polarizing response. While his party members and family mourn his loss, much of Tamil society, particularly on social media are celebrating his demise, highlighting the depth of hate he has earned among the Tamil people. EVKS Elangovan’s political career was steeped in controversy, marked by casteist, racist, and misogynistic remarks that alienated many. His public statements against iconic figures like Ilaiyaraaja and other personalities exposed his unapologetic casteism and deep-seated biases. Yet, it was not just his domestic rhetoric that incited outrage, it was his stance on broader Tamil issues that rendered him a figure of profound detestation. Perhaps the most damning aspect of his legacy was his role as a loyal functionary of the Congress Party, which has long been accused of complicity in the Tamil Genocide during Sri Lanka’s civil war. EVKS Elangovan went ...