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 beyond silence or denial; he actively dehumanized the victims. His chilling statement that he was in a "celebratory mood" upon hearing about the cold-blooded murder of 11-year-old Balachandran Prabhakaran, son of Tamil leader V. Prabhakaran, by the Sinhala military, shocked the conscience of even the most apolitical observers.
For the Tamil people, such remarks were not merely callous, they were a betrayal of the Tamil cause. EVKS Elangovan’s consistent dismissal of Tamil rights and his party’s alignment with forces perceived as anti-Tamil made him a villain in the eyes of many.
In death, as in life, EVKS Elangovan has sparked strong reactions. For his supporters, he may remain a loyal Congressman who spoke his mind. For the Tamil public, however, his legacy is that of a man who used his platform to perpetuate division, uphold oppressive structures, and celebrate atrocities.
The outpouring of celebratory posts on social media following his demise is a reflection of the pain and anger his actions inflicted on the Tamil community. It is, in essence, a symbolic act of retribution, a stark reminder that the wounds of the Tamil Genocide and the injustices suffered by the Tamil people remain unhealed.
History will remember EVKS Elangovan not for his political loyalty, but for the bitterness he sowed and the legacy of divisiveness he leaves behind.
-mrpaluvets
14/12/2024
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