Chennai: In his chamber at the headquarters of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) in Chennai, adorned with images and statues of Buddha and B.R. Ambedkar, party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan is discussing daily affairs. He takes out time from his busy schedule to speak to Mint about the political situation in Tamil Nadu, the Dalit discourse in 50 years of Dravidian politics and the internal dynamics of Dalit consolidation in the state. Edited excerpts of an interview:
Is there an ideological vacuum in Tamil Nadu and to what extent can the centre’s influence be seen in the present political situation in the state?
There is clearly a discontent with the Dravidan parties, yet they are the ones who are still strong politically in the state. At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to establish a foothold for itself amidst the political chaos that has arisen after J. Jayalalithaa’s demise, through its social engineering. But, unlike the influences in the north, it is not that easy to establish itself here on the basis of caste and religious forces. Despite the criticism, the Dravidian parties have definitely sowed the seeds for rationalistic thinking in the state.
Despite Periyar E.V. Ramasamy’s influence over political parties in the state, why has there been an increase in atrocities against Dalits?
One cannot agree that the DMK as a political party—a splinter group of Periyar’s Dravida Kazhagam (DK)—has fully imbibed the ideals of Periyar. AIADMK stands eons away from the principles of Periyar. These political parties do not wish to invite the wrath of caste Hindus, as they function under their control. Whenever there is an instance of Dalit atrocity, they fail to take any initiative against the dominant caste groups and in the last 50 years, crimes against Dalits have been on the rise.
Why have Dalit-backed political parties not been able to consolidate in Tamil Nadu?
There is no denying that Dalit consolidation is essential. But it is merely a political terminology and there are too many stumbling blocks socially and culturally. When there was polarization in the name of anti-brahminism, OBC consolidation—for the political gains—occurred. The kind of political viability and stability that paved the way for OBC consolidation is much lower in the case of Dalit consolidation and this has led to political stagnation.
Why can’t a party like VCK do in Tamil Nadu what the Bahujan Samaj Party has managed in UP?
In the last 50 years, no other party—DMDK, PMK or Left— has been able to replace the two main Dravidian parties: DMK and AIADMK. While all the others are in the same boat, VCK has an additional social stigma due to its ‘Dalit party’ tag.
Though DMK and AIADMK are run on caste lines, they are not branded as such. But a party like VCK or Puthiya Thamilagam are branded as Dalit political parties. Why?
The social stigma gets resonated as political stigma. If a Muslim starts a party in any corner of the country, it becomes a Muslim party. It is a curse that applies to Dalits, and anyone from oppressed sections. If someone who is not a Dalit forms a party, it is said to be a party meant for all. But a party headed by a Dalit is branded as being only for Dalits. This is an established factor and we’ll have to struggle to undo this tag. And, this is also the reason why it is necessary for us to join hands with other parties to uproot sectarianism and work in the mainstream.
