The Silence On Dravidian Bigotry: How Long Will Tamil Nadu Look The Other Way?

In any other state in India, that speech, filled with unconcealed hate, brazen bigotry, and vilification of a community, along with callousness toward autistic children, would have faced the wrath of civil society. However, in Tamil Nadu, where people are jailed for innocuous remarks against the ruling establishment, the speech hasn’t even drawn a whimper of protest from self-anointed liberals, especially the media.

The entire incident might have gone unnoticed if not for the opprobrium of the usual suspects in the right-wing ecosystem, who flagged the speech as vulgar and vituperative. 

Here is some background: The speech in question was made by Kovai Ramakrishnan, a follower of Dravidian ideologue EV Ramasamy (EVR). In that speech, Ramakrishnan went berserk on the bail granted to actress Kasthuri in a case over alleged derogatory remarks on the Telugu community. Kasthuri had sought relief on the grounds she had an autistic child to take care of. Her plea was also echoed by Kamakshi Swaminathan, the All-India Vice President of Saksham, the organisation that works for the welfare of the differently-abled. She is also the wife of Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

“I understand the daily challenges faced by parents raising children with autism. As a mother of a child with similar needs, I empathise with Kasthuri and stand in solidarity with her. I hope courts will consider the child’s condition and act with compassion in such cases,” Kamakshi had said.

Hatred Never Ends 

However, Kovai Ramakrishnan, a figure often known for his provocative statements and evident disdain for Brahmins—essentially fitting the archetype of a typical Dravidian leader—used this opportunity to deliver a fiery response.

Referring to Kasthuri and Kamakshi as 'paapathi' (a casteist pejorative aimed at Brahmin women), Ramakrishnan cavilled at them with unbridled bigotry. He then turned his attention to autistic children, claiming they were more prevalent in Brahmin families (using the term 'paapaan').

"Autism is more common in Agraharams. Why is this community producing such children? The government should seriously investigate this and ban the ‘Paapan’ families." He went on to assert that autism in Brahmin families was a consequence of their dietary choices. According to Ramakrishnan, other communities did not face this issue because they consumed meat, including beef.

It is undeniable that this ranks among the most vicious and poisonous speeches in recent times. Notably, it did not come from individuals often dismissed by Dravidians as 'fringe.' Kovai Ramakrishnan is the president of Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, one of the many limbs of Dravidar Kazhagam founded by EVR. Ramakrishnan's words weren't made at some private gathering. It was a public speech at an annual event. 

Neither he nor his organization is known for being agreeable or amicable. In June this year, the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam gifted a gold ring engraved with a photo of EVR to the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) constable who had slapped actress and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut.

Ramakrishnan said that the ring was ‘a token of appreciation for the constable's slap. Ramakrishnan had also infamously threatened that rivers of blood would flow against Brahmins in Tamil Nadu.

Treated With Kid Gloves

Quite evidently, the man has gotten away with consistently hate-filled speeches. This time, however, he not only targeted Brahmins but also directed vile comments at helpless autistic children and their struggling parents. What would they all feel when they chance upon this most debased speech? The speech also goes against rational science, something which the Dravidian clan claims allegiance to.

But what of the mainstream media with its bleeding-heart liberals? Where are the thundering sermons? The media went on a non-stop binge on Kasthuri when she was alleged to have made some disparaging remarks against the Telugus. But when a leader from the EVR pantheon delivers some of the vilest remarks imaginable, the same media has gone AWOL. The pens are sheathed. The mics muffled.

Dravidianism, despite being the most bigoted of ideologies, has gotten a free pass as a liberal cult thanks to the subservience of embedded media personnel. Forget impassioned editorials, there is not even a report on the whole affair in any of the mainline newspapers. As for Tamil TV channels, the less said the better. Their narrative is always controlled by the Dravidian overlords. 

In the event, Kovai Ramakrishnan and others like him get to parade around as paragons of propriety. It's hard to imagine a bigger contradiction than this.