Unique Leader Unique Movement
The social organization founded by the revolutionary Thanthai Periyar E.V.Ramasamy (1879 – 1973) is not like that of others. Progressive policies could come into practice not on their own; nor by the efforts of any individual alone, but in a limited way. To move on to arduous progressive path a sound ideology is a prerequisite. Serious thinking evolves as sound ideology; propagation of ideology is a must for mobilising public opinion that manifests in popular practices. If such popular practices or the potentially supportive public opinion prevail in the society, the political will of the rulers could enable the ideology to acquire legal sanction through legislative action as enactment and formulation of rules or executive exercise through the issuance of government order.
To coordinate and carry out the arduous task, an organisational approach in the social functioning is vital.
The organization that was founded by Periyar as Self-Respect League in 1925, transformed as Dravidar Kazhagam in 1944 and its present strategic approach is as a global mass movement. The task of the movement continues. The Periyar movement has not been in a hurry in enrolling members. The reason is that the ideologically committed cadreship is more important than the numerical strength of the organisation.
For a noble cause associated with mobilisation of public opinion, the detached as well as attached mindset towards the ruling governance is a must. Grooming the cadres in that line is not an overnight task. It has been the consistent and continued cadre building task that has to be carried out imparting great ideological commitment to them.
The nature of Periyar’s movement and its functional approach are unique. The centuries ridden mindset of the people in the society must be changed, for which distancing from contesting election was considered essential. But at the same time, Periyar was well aware of the role and power of the ruling authority. Whatever changes that take place in the society could be sustained only through the legal sanction for and towards the changes by the ruling authority.
Periyar movement is particular about who has to be elected to assume the ruling dispensation. The party / candidates whose victory in the election is beneficial to the practice of Periyar’s principles have to be elected. Periyar and his organisation canvassed for such party / candidates, immaterial of whether they formally sought the organisation’s support. The proximity to the public and the continuous interaction of the organisation’s functionaries and cadres of DK had decided the electoral victories many a times.
The organisational task at the time of election, is sometimes on who should not come to power. It is not on personal grounds but on principle basis. Avoiding subjective contest in elections and campaigning during election objectively for the victory of the chosen party, has been unique in Dravidar Kazhagam.
“The organisational task at the time of election, is sometimes on who should not come to power. It is not on personal grounds but on principle basis. Avoiding subjective contest in elections and campaigning during election objectively for the victory of the chosen party, has been unique in
Dravidar Kazhagam.”
Not only at the time of electioneering, but also after declaration of results and assuming of position by the winners and, during the entire ruling period, DK has been critical about the way the ruling dispensation discharges its duties. DK is supportive, commentative, critical and in case of need, against the deeds of the rulers. All its activities are issue based reaction in the discharge of the duties of the rulers.
When the question of opposing arises, DK would not hesitate to protest if it is detrimental to the progress of society or fail to discharge what is needed. If the rulers are adamant in not carrying out what is beneficial to the society, DK would be at the forefront in solving the issues, seeking the support of the public and all the other parties.
Forecasting the future, issues are sorted out without delay. DK ensures support from all the sides and coordinates in opposing the ruling dispensation. It would not be a one-time measure but continuous for many days, months and years till the expected result is yielded by the rulers. At times, the expected results have been ensured by the ruling party by facing debacle in the election.
This set of functional approach has been adopted from Periyar and continues after him by the succeeded leadership of Dravidar Kazhagam.
After Thanthai Periyar and Annai E.V.R. Maniammaiar, Asiriyar Dr.K. Veeramani has been leading the DK and it continues. In about half a century leadership of Asiriyar, he led the organisation on the footprints of Periyar. All the humanist efforts put forth have been transformed into expected results, benefitting the targetted sections of the society, who had been deprived and denigrated.
The achievements by Asiriyar on Social Justice front are beneficial not only to the State of Tamil Nadu but also to the entire country. The expertise of Asiriyar in solving the Social Justice issues and mainstreaming them in public for the focus of rulers is the speciality of DK’s functioning.
The organisational task at the time of election, is sometimes on who should not come to power. It is not on personal grounds but on principle basis. Avoiding subjective contest in elections and campaigning during election objectively for the victory of the chosen party, has been unique in
Dravidar Kazhagam.
Asiriyar is an expert in mainstreaming the public issue and achieving what is needed for society at large. Mainstreaming is the foundation to wage an ideological war! In that aspect Asiriyar is a ‘Mainstreaming Maverick’.
During the past, there were occasions wherein the rulers had deviated from the ideological core of social justice and other principles of Periyar. Such deviations were not understood in the public parlance, not even by the people who are affected, thereby denied of certain rights (so far enjoyed as well as probable). As a societal watch – warrior, Asiriyar would systematically initiate the issue of deviation or denial statement in ‘Viduthalai’ and to other print and electronic media, organizing public agitation, convening all political parties / social organisations meetings, addressing public meetings and so on one side; on another side approaching the judiciary both directly by filing petitions and mobilizing a coordinated move with others to approach the Constitutional court for remedy. By all these measures Asiriyar will bring out the issues, people unaware of or not seriously aware of its negative impact on the mainstream and ultimately accomplish the task. This sort of vigilant and multi-pronged approach in setting things right is the unique leadership style of Asiriyar.
Such sort of mainstreaming exercise by DK and its leader Asiriyar has yielded expected results during the past.
l In 1979, the Tamil Nadu State Government, when M.G.Ramachandran was the Chief Minister, brought income ceiling of Rs. 9,000/- per annum for the backward classes to avail the reservation in education and public employment. Asiriyar opposed this unconstitutional move, coordinated all the progressive forces along with the main opposition party DMK and did yearlong propaganda.
That impacted on the major debacle to the ruling ADMK in the general elections to Parliament in 1980. The State government had to withdraw the income ceiling after listening to Asiriyar’s presentation in the all party meeting convened by it. Besides it also manifested in the enhancement of reservation to backward classes from 31 to 50 per cent.
l The ADMK government in Tamil Nadu introduced Entrance Tests for admission to professional colleges in the State. DK opposed it on the ground that the school final marks are awarded by the State Board of Secondary Education that cannot be retested. The introduction of Entrance Tests was opposed by DK with the able coordination of other parties mainly DMK by Asiriyar. Ultimately the Entrance Tests were withdrawn in 2004 and effectively withdrawn by DMK, when it assumed the State rule, through an exclusive legislation with the assent of President of India in 2007.
l The Mandal Commission formed in 1979 by Janata Party government at the Centre, submitted its report in 1980 when Congress Party had assumed rule. The Report was lying unattended by the rulers. Asiriyar conducted 42 conferences and 16 agitations throughout the country by mobilising the leaders from all the political parties and the Backward Class organisations for the cause. The Union government tabled the Report in the Lok Sabha. All the parliamentary parties unanimously accepted the Mandal recommendations but nothing moved on its implementation afterwards. The struggle continued for almost a decade and the recommendations saw the first streak of light when V.P.Singh became the Prime Minister who led the NDA government with the integral support of DMK led by Kalaignar. In the independent India the Backward Classes got their first time reservation of 27 per cent in Central Services.
l The Union government pooled the seats for admission to graduation, post-graduation and super specialty medical colleges from all the States as All India Quota (AIQ). Even though SC / ST and BC reservations were in implementation, the Union government did not provide reservation to them in AIQ. At one stage due to the intervention of the Supreme Court SC / ST candidates were provided with, but not the OBCs. The issue was not exposed. Asiriyar made it an issue and mainstreamed it. All the mainstream political parties filed writ petitions at Madras High Court and then appeals were preferred by them in the Supreme Court, including the DMK that assumed the State rule. Ultimately OBCs were provided 27 per cent reservation in All India Quota medical admission.
l The Entrance Tests abolished have been reintroduced during the present BJP led Union government as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to all the medical and dental colleges in the country. Asiriyar has carved out this issue of medical course admission denial to the rural and poor students. He conducted an anti-NEET propaganda tour continuously for 21 days, covering public meetings at 40 centres associating with all the local leaders of political parties and social organisations from Nagercoil to Chennai.
Legislative action for exemption from NEET to Tamil Nadu is also on the move by the ruling DMK government. The Bill awaits the assent of the President of India.
The mainstreaming tasks of Asiriyar, briefed above are only illustrative but not exhaustive
Asiriyar has got unique expertise to fight for the cause by meeting the public daily in person as well as through addressing. This ability of mainstreaming the issue is the bedrock on which the pioneering milestone – achievements are there on the journey of Social Justice.
On the 90th Birthday of Self-Respectful Asiriyar, we wish Asiriyar lives long for further journey which is more challenging than it was in the past.
Long Live Asiriyar!
Let the Periyar Mission, led by him attain new heights globally
far and wide.
