Pani Puri Jibe: It Is Hate-filled Ignorance That Drives Rhetoric Of Self-Styled 'Dravidian Stock' Against 'North Indian' Migrant Labour

On 18 January, Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan issued a statement clarifying that he had not suggested changing the state's name to 'Tamizhagam'.

The Governor said that his use of the term 'Tamizhagam' was never used in the context to suggest a change in the name of Tamil Nadu.

Such an interpretation, the Governor said, was "erroneous and far-fetched".

"While dwelling upon the historical cultural connect between Kashi and the state, I referred to the word 'Tamizhagam'. In those days, there was no 'Tamil Nadu'. Hence in historical-cultural context, I referred to the word 'Tamizhagam' as a 'more appropriate expression'," Governor Ravi stated.

Tamizahagam

Tamizhagam essentially means the home of the Tamil language.

It means those speaking Tamil are one family. It is quite an organic term.

Tamil Nadu is also an ancient term for the land of Tamil-speaking people.

Here, one should remember that when 'Breaking India' forces are, in a coordinated manner, attempting to promote a mechanistic linguistic state of Tamil Nadu as a land unique to Tamils, the statement by the Governor has reminded us Tamils of Tamizhagam as a family — an organic unit.

Combined with the ancient Tamil dictum of 'yaathum uure yavarum kelir' (all places are our homes and all humans our relatives), it resonates with the same spirit of 'swadesa puvana tryam'.

As if to prove that Tamil Nadu is plagued by the disease of petty-minded chauvinism that goes against every noble virtue of the culture of Tamil people, former Rajya Sabha MP and organising secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) R S Bharati launched a disgusting diatribe against the Governor.

Bharati said that the north Indian gang of 'pani puri' sellers is trying to change the name of Tamil Nadu.

This is not the first time the 'pani puri' jibe has been deployed in a derogatory manner by a serious mainstream politician against 'North Indians' in the state.

In May 2022, a senior DMK leader and state higher education minister K Ponmudi remarked: "North Indians are only selling pani puri in Tamil Nadu".

In the pretentious posturing of Tamil superiority, the 'North Indians' are depicted as inferior to the Tamils.

Many influential ideologues and political leaders, who declare themselves as 'Dravidianist stock', frequently call north Indians 'pani puri' sellers, 'pan parag vaaiyans' and worse. A significant section of Tamil media, often indistinguishable from the DMK propaganda wing, publishes and amplifies stories on what they claim as the 'uncouth behaviour' of 'North Indian migrants'.

While no official statistics are available on the number of so-called 'North Indians' in the state, Tamil Nadu attracts a considerable number of workers from the rest of India engaged in infrastructure projects, the hotel industry, real estate projects, small industrial units, private security guards and a plethora of skilled jobs including plumbing, carpentry, electricians etc.

Many entrepreneurs prefer migrant workers due to a combination of factors, including lower wages and the non-availability of locals for such jobs. Some even cite 'reliable work ethics' for preferring migrants.

Historically and even two decades back, Tamils themselves have migrated to other parts of India and the world to escape crushing poverty and seek better livelihood, but that has not stopped 'Dravidian Stock' politicians and ideologues from spreading hateful stereotypes against 'north Indians' has become a norm in Tamil Nadu.

While economic reasons drive the recent migration to the state, it is important to understand that Tamil Nadu would not have made the advances it has made today but for the sufferings that north Indians underwent in every invasion and the sacrifices they made.

Traditionally, north Indians also have immense respect for south India. Sanskrit literature speaks of south India as the birthplace of bhakti. It was through Bhakti Movement that north India generated its resistance to invaders who tried to impose their way of life on us.

The logo of Tamil Nadu state shows with rightful pride the temple gopuram (mostly considered as that) of Sri Villiputhur.

That pride of Tamil Nadu is because of the resistance non-Tamil Telugu Nayakars put forth against the Islamist invasions.

Thirukkural is what it is today because a strong Sanatana tradition saved it, nurtured it and made it a part of the literary tradition of Tamil Nadu.

The jauhar walls of fire Rajput women built saved the honour of our 'foremothers' in Tamil Nadu.

Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life not just for Kashmiri Pandits. According to Sikh tradition, the Guru took responsibility for preserving theo-diversity of entire India.

Thukaram and Samarta Ramdas strengthened the steel of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's sword and added fire to Maratha cannons to save Hindu-Pad-Padshahi.

During colonial rule, when the British indulged in one of the cruellest and grandest theft of Indian resources, south India acted as the gateway (along with Calcutta and Bombay) through which wealth got drained.

North India arose in the great rebellion of 1857. South India — particularly Madras — was conspicuous by its absence.

While a century earlier, warriors like Maruthu brothers had fought against the East India Company rule, by and large submission rather than rebellion was the norm of south India, particularly Tamil Nadu during the British rule.

Not only resources but indentured labour was also exported from India.

When the Bengal famine engineered by the British killed millions of Indians, the Justice Party and demagogue of irrational Dravidianist racism E V Ramaswamy (Periyar) was literally begging the British not to leave.

Fortunately, no north Indian, politician or otherwise, is speaking of us south Indians as having made themselves affluent mainly by their collaboration with colonial looters of India.

They respect Tamil as a great classical language. They respect Tamil Nadu for preserving our art and culture in pristine form.

But we forget that our cultural grandeur and economic affluence are because of the sacrifices of the north Indians.

When the Governor spoke of Tamizhagam, he perhaps reminded us Tamils of our organic kinship with rest of India.

What we have achieved in Tamil Nadu is not because of a mechanistic isolation, but it is an achievement of entire India, and we are indebted to the sacrifices of 'North Indians'.

Tamil Nadu is also an ancient term, but it does not imply that Tamils are a separate nation.

We are a part of a great Indian family. Without Indian culture, Indian ethos and Indian kinship, Tamil will die.