Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam addresses the General Council
(Thanjavur – 25th March 2024)
The General Council Meeting of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) was held on Sunday, 25th March, 2024 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, to discuss several vital issues and to chalk out measures to seek solutions for certain burning problems in and around the State. Six significant resolutions were adopted and unanimously passed during the meeting. They were as follows:-
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1. The Lok Sabha Elections and the duty of the voting public
The BJP led Union Government headed by Modi grabbed the rule twice by raising slogans of progress and development. It had also been hoodwinking the people by its promises of “Achhe Din” – that implied that better days await people. But it has faced huge defeat in all the fields in the country, despite ruling with a brute majority for the past ten long years.
All the promises made by the Modi Government with regard to economic development, eradication of corruption, retrieval of black money, abolishing poverty and employment opportunities, have all gone with the wind, lapsed with the passing of time. People of the country who have been enduring atrocious sufferings have understood and realised clearly that they have been taken for a ride by false promises.
By suddenly announcing demonetisation the Prime Minister Modi made Indian economy crumble completely. Many of the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME) had to pull down their shutters. Millions of workers lost their jobs and became pavement dwellers.
The Covid-19 pandemic crisis was handled ineffectively and there were inexplicable confusions in the procurement and distribution of preventive medicines, injections, etc; — The economic and finance departments turned out to be detrimental in all respects. There was mal administration in the sphere of combat weapons procured by the Defence Ministry. The protest of the farmers was faced in an indifferent manner by the rulers. The price of petrol and diesel rose to an alarming height. All these mismanagement exposures proved the BJP Government headed by Modi, to be absolutely anti-people, ever since it grabbed the rule ten years ago.
The BJP Government has been crushing under its heels the glory of democracy and humiliating the codes of the Parliament. The movements that are empowered with self-governance through the Constitution have been belittled. The States have been denied their basic rights. Parallel Governments were imposed gubernatorially through Governors in the States ruled by non-BJP Chief Ministers. An alternative rule was thrust strategically in such States. There was partiality in allotment of funds to the States. They were denied the share for which they were entitled. The BJP Government has thus been violating all the norms of the Constitution and has always been anti-democratic and anti-people, quite vigorously. By insisting on “One Country, One Religion, One Language and One Culture” the Modi Government has been trying to bury the entire country into the deep pit of religious extremism called Hindutva. Obviously, all its activities have so far been a ploy to get its hidden agenda accomplished.
The Prime Minister used to say time and again – “Our Government would always be known for absolute transparency in all respects. It would have an amicable relationship with all the States.” On the contrary, all the activities of their rule have been against their statements of false hope. The Modi Government was quite firm in concealing all the facts pertaining to the electoral bonds. The “PM CARES” scheme was another mystery. It was propagated through a Union Government advertisement but we were told that it was an outfit of a private management. The entire scheme seems to be an unsolved mystery till this date.
The BJP rule infact got a good opportunity to earn the trust of the people. By absolute inclusivity it could have implemented many schemes based on social justice. Through welfare measures, enactment of judicious laws and constructive projects, the BJP could have emerged Government of the people, but it has miserably failed to earn the trust and good will of the people. Instead, it has only implemented a Fascist rule based on the Principles of the R.S.S. and the Sangh Parivar Coterie. The BJP headed rule has always been against the minorities and the downtrodden, oppressed people. Its schemes have all been violating the laws. Secularism has been stressed by the Constitution in its Preamble itself, but it has been buried deeply by the BJP headed Union Government. It has been concentrating only on building temples and organising consecrations in order to establish strongly, the Hindutva ideology. This has consistently been the objective of the Union Government headed by Modi.
The Preamble of the Constitution assures the protection of the secularism in the country, social justice, economic development, democracy and equality. But the autocratic, Fascist BJP rule has been violating all those noble adumbrations. Hence, it is the bounden duty of the people to throw overboard this anti-people rule. It is an indispensable task at this crucial moment in the country.
It is therefore RESOLVED today by the General Council that in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, this Fascist BJP Government must be driven away. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc must be strongly supported in order to help it achieve victory. All the people of the country are hereby urged upon to be firm in this resolve. It is a humble appeal by this General Council to the people. It is also RESOLVED today that the Dravidar Kazhagam would vigorously strive to succeed in this mission by restless field work to achieve this objective.
This resolution was unanimously passed during the council meet.
2. The Centenary Celebration of the Self-Respect Movement:
The Self-Respect Movement was founded in 1925 by the unique Stalwart Thanthai Periyar. The movement is today in its centenary year. The celebration is to commence in November 2024 and conclude in a grand manner in 2025.
The policies of the Self-respect movement framed by Thanthai Periyar have all been globally accepted, adopted and adhered to. They are commended and admired all over the world. The State of Tamil Nadu is a fertile land where self-respect, social justice, welfare, language affinity, eradication of superstitions, rationalism, gender equality, annihilation of castes, equality and egalitarianism have all grown thickly like invaluable crops. Tamil Nadu glitters as a unique State in the entire Indian subcontinent. Irrespective of parties, principles and individuality of movements, all have recognised this state as “Dravidian land” and “the land of Periyar”. This State and this particular land is hailed as a powerful force that can cast its impact at all times on politics. This land is looked upon with wonder as a combat device in a warfare for social reformation. “Periyar land” is viewed by all as a sharp weapon that could uproot the toxic brahminocracy. If the State of Tamil Nadu exists today as an indestructible fort, the credit should go to the Self-respect movement headed by Thanthai Periyar, that laid the strongest foundation.
The conferences held so far by the Self-respect movement and all the resolutions passed at those conferences have scripted glorious chapters in history. All the resolutions have been practically turned into great success. The implementations could scale great heights and reach the zenith through the services of the Dravidian rulers. Tamil Nadu itself is a glorious chapter in the history of the world.
Thanthai Periyar headed simultaneously the Self-respect movement and the Dravidian movement known once as the Justice Party. Later, it transformed as the Dravidar Kazhagam and exists majestically till this date as a vibrant movement. It has the unique privilege of being a movement that had never ever contested elections. It is a social revolutionary movement, not a political party. But it has been the beacon light for the political field in the country. It can be hailed even as a lighthouse guiding several ships on a turbulent sea. This beacon light has been functioning with dual switches called propaganda and protest. It has devoted itself to public services and reigns supreme as a people’s movement. It exists as the mother of all other Dravidian Parties. It is a great force that has an impact on all other parties too.
The Self-Respect Movement founded by Thanthai Periyar commences its centenary year in November 2024. It is hereby RESOLVED today that the centenary would be celebrated by the end of this year in a grand manner to make the entire India wonder – struck and astonished. It is also resolved to establish our branches in all the cities, towns, districts and villages where our branches are yet to be established. All the cadres, comrades of the movement and responsible functionaries are hereby urged upon by this General Council to accomplish this task before we commence the centenary celebration of the Self-Respect Movement.
This Resolution was also unanimously adopted and passed in the General Council meet.
3. The Centenary Celebration of the Proclamation that the Indus Valley civilisation is infact the Dravidian Civilisation:
In 1924, Sir John Marshal, the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India through his work and research proclaimed to the entire world that the Indus Valley Civilisation (BCE 3300-1300), was actually Dravidian Civilisation. It was declared worldwide in 1924 that the Indus Valley Civilisation was infact the Dravidian Civilisation. The editor of the Tamil Daily “Dinamani” was then Thiru Airavatham Mahadevan. He agreed with Sir John Marshal. Many other scholars too accepted the findings.
This historic proclamation should be etched for ever in history. Sir John Marshal’s research must be known to everyone. The centenary of this 1924 proclamation falls in December 2024. Hence, it is RESOLVED today to celebrate the centenary during December 2024 as a mark of respect to Sir John Marshal. This celebration would commemorate the significant Proclamation. The council urges upon all the executives and cadres to join us and make the celebration a thundering success.
4. Carnatic Singer T.M. Krishna issue – A caution to all those who try to create trouble through slanderous remarks on Thanthai Periyar:-
The Music Academy in Chennai had decided to confer ‘Sangeeta Kalanidhi Award – 2024’ on the Carnatic Vocalist T.M. Krishna. It was on the basis of his music talent and progressive social thought. Carnatic Vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri have protested against this conferment. They have blamed him for composing and rendering lyrics glorifying Thanthai Periyar. They contend that Krishna has been mixing progressive social thoughts in Carnatic music. They have also come out with slanderous comments on Thanthai Periyar. A few Brahmin coteries have also joined these two vocalists in mud-slinging. It is suspected that some toxic forces backed by the RSS are also behind this vilification and undesirable controversy.
The State President of the BJP, Thiru. Annamalai is also expressing comments against T.M. Krishna and spreading obnoxious remarks on Thanthai Periyar. He has been supporting the protesting sisters Ranjani and Gayatri. Sudden attack at a time by all these forces makes us smell a rat. Certainly something is wrong somewhere. But the Music Academy and its President Thiru.N. Murali are firm on their stand of conferring the award on T.M. Krishna. This is really commendable.
Thanthai Periyar had been a renowned humanist leader beyond all the barriers of caste, religion, race, creed and languages. Tarnishing his image cannot be tolerated. It is hereby RESOLVED to demand apology in public for the slanderous remarks by the vocalists Ranjani and Gayatri. If they do not tender apology, we caution them that they will have to answer the public and also at the courts of law. The general council places on record its warning to them.
This resolution was also unanimously adopted and passed during the council meet.
5. (a) Making the activities of the movement much more faster and vigorous:
On 13th of May, 2023, a General Council Meeting was held at Erode, wherein some changes were announced with regard to structure of the Movement and the management policies etc; The council commends the services of all the cadres for the productive activities.
We are to face very soon the Lok Sabha elections. This would be based on our policies and objectives. This election is of great importance for our movement and for the future of the country.
The Dravidian Model Government in Tamil Nadu headed by the honourable Chief Minister Thiru. M.K. Stalin has been a beacon light guiding the entire country. This is proved by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc formed by his efforts. The victory of this bloc would prove the phrase “UNITY IN DIVERSITY”. The victory of I.N.D.I.A. bloc would establish strongly an ideal Government based on true federalism and sovereignty. The rights of all the states would be protected if I.N.D.I.A. bloc forms the next Union Government. It is RESOLVED today to work restlessly and make I.N.D.I.A. bloc win the election from all constituencies. All the cadres and executives are urged upon to celebrate both the centenaries this year as already explained. At the same time, the activities of the movement should also go on perfectly as usual. The General Council urges upon everyone to extend whole hearted co-operation and help us achieve all these objectives.
5(b). Propaganda tasks – adhering to Periyar thought and guidelines:
It is RESOLVED today by the General Council to adhere to the guidance of the President of the Movement and undertake propaganda tours to instil an awareness in the people. It is our bounden duty to act as the linchpin of the ideological alliance. Periyar thought must be strictly adhered to in all respects. By collective efforts, we should work for the dawn of a new era. All our cadres and executive – functionaries should work hard for the formation of a new Union Government, headed by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. Our serious, sincere and systematic work would surely secure supreme success. It is resolved hereby to work hard for our victory.
These resolutions were also unanimously adopted and passed at the General Council Meet.
