Open Letter
Open Letter to Mr.barack obama President of USA
V.Kumaresan
Mr. President
Greetings to you!
We felt very happy on your ascendancy as the President of the vast, federal democratic United States of America. We consider this ascendancy through democratic political process as a glorification of the ascendancy of oppressed section of mankind. When we hear the pleasant announcement of the Award of Nobel Prize for Peace, we rejoiced greatly as if one of our brethren is conferred with the great Award of international significance, When certain ever-oppressing sections of mankind are critical about the announcement of Award to you, we stand solidly with the decision of the Nobel Committee. All these feelings arise in our mind not on you as an individual but as a person hailing from the oppressed sections of mankind, suffered and humiliated for many decades due to racial discrimination. We are hopeful that through your extraordinary ability and worthy initiatives you would make your period of presidentship a memorable one.
Let us introduce ourselves at the outset. We represent, The Rationalists’ Forum Tamil Nadu, a humanist movement founded by the great social reformer Periyar E.V.Ramasami (1879–1973) and presently patronized by Dr. K.Veeramani, President of Dravidar Kazhagam, an Associate Member of International Humanist and Ethical Union. The Rationalists’ Forum is a duly registered organization, recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu way back in the year 1970. The founder leader, Periyar E.V.R. was honoured by UNESCO with a citation as the Socrates of South East Asia.
C. N. Annadurai (1909 – 1969), the Chief Disciple of Periyar and affectionately called as Anna, became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State. Anna was a voracious writer. He has given the essence of the book THE MAN by Irwing Wallace in Tamil Language with the title, IN THE WHITE HOUSE. To day, the content of the novel, which has become a reality, is introduced to the youngsters by our beloved leader Dr. K.Veeramani in Viduthalai , the only rationalist daily in the world , edited by him. The imaginative writers’ dream has become a reality on your ascendancy as President of USA. We may be of different stock nationally, politically and on linguistic terms, but we consider all of us are united for the cause of humanism.
We feel painful to bring to your kind attention about your participation a few days back, in one of the religious functions at White House. Yes , it was Deepavali (Diwali). Deepavali is a festival cunningly designed and glorified in India reinforcing the mythology signifying the killing of a valiant indigenous hero, who defended his territory and the people from the alien invading tribe.
The birth based discrimination was introduced and inculcated among the indigenous people, so many centuries ago by the invading tribe in the name of god and subsequently the principle underlying the discriminatory social practice is branded as Hindu religion. Hindu religion is proud of possessing the same logo of Swasthik as adopted by Nazi Hitler. It is the religion which claims its numerical strength not based on the preference of Hindu faith by its subjects but by their non preference to other religious beliefs. Even atheists who do not believe in god and religion are branded as Hindus as per the personal law prevailing in India. The Hindu mythology treat certain sections of the society as untouchable by an oppressing microscopic minority social elite. Another segment of the society is considered as pollutants at the vicinity of the oppressing elite, by branding them as unseeable.
The oppressed masses are being liberated slowly by advocating the ideals of great reformist - leaders like Periyar E.V.R. and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar. Due the hard and tireless mission of these social architects, the oppressed sections are coming up socially and economically. The oppressed sections are fighting for their liberation Constitutionally. The struggle still continues. Awakening exercises are also carried out by sustained propaganda by adopting rationalistic methods.
Deepavali is the glorification of the fall of the indigenous hero whose descendants are to day treated as untouchables and unseeables as per Hindu mythology. The ignorant and gullible masses are also celebrating Deepavali without understanding the motive behind the celebration. It is Periyar’s Mass Movement which has been opposing and doing propaganda against the celebration of Deepavali and it has succeeded in its mission to some extent. The numerous admirers , cadres and functionaries of Periyar Movement are not celebrating Deepavali. The Dravidian political leader, Dr.Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi , heading the State of Tamil Nadu as its Chief Minister does not convey any greetings to the public for Deepavali , where as he uses to covey greetings on other festive occasions. The Chief Minister is committed to the cause of liberating the oppressed masses from the clutches of discriminatory faith. Deepavali signifies the oppression of indigenous masses.
The propaganda torch lit by the renowned rationalist and reformist leader Periyar is carried on at present by Dr. K. Veeramani , Patron of The Rationalists’ Forum.
When such popular ideological, organizational and political movement is prevalent in Tamil Nadu, India, certain advocates of culturally dominant cult might have approached the authorities of White House and involved you symbolically in the celebration of Deepavali and telecast the scene throughout the world. Their agenda is to project to the world, the President of USA is close to them and their ( oppressing ) ideology. Perhaps, the authorities of White House may not be either aware or have been appraised properly ,we hope !
May we place before you a very humble question?
The Priest ( standing by your side while lighting the lamp) responded to you when you tried to shake hand with him. Will the priest or priestly class while in India accept and come forward to shake hands with the indigenous people, branded as untouchables and unseeables? DEFINITELY NOT.
We represent rationalist movement, but we have fought for the entry of untouchable and unseeable masses in to the temple. After obtaining affirmative action in education and employment in government service, we are yet to succeed in the matter of abolishing religious discrimination observed on the basis of Varna-Jaathi (Caste system) in the appointment of priests in Hindu Temples. We have involved ourselves not as if it is a religious affair but as a human right of the believer to perform prayer and pooja to the deity.
It is in this background we are hurt by your symbolic participation in Deepavali celebration at White House ,Washington. Please think over. We are hopeful that such things would not reoccur. We are with you in your mission of promoting humanism for the betterment and upliftment of mankind.
With regards
[Thiru V. Kumaresan is the General Secretary of The Rationalists’ Forum]
