Unapologetic, defiant: Why A Raja is an eyesore for BJP and awkward for DMK in Tamil Nadu

The DMK and its machinery, which generally pounce to take on the BJP in Tamil Nadu, maintained an awkward silence over Raja’s statements.

Not new to controversies and not one to depend on anyone to defend him, former Union Minister A Raja went on the offensive. In another event on 21 September, Raja reiterated his statements against Sanatana Dharma but this time, pointed to the Dravidian movement’s initiatives for reservation and social justice for backward classes.

Raja’s statements led to a BJP leader — Balaji Uthamaramasamy — issuing a threat against the DMK leader as well as social reformer and Dravidian icon Periyar EV Ramasamy. The Tamil Nadu police booked the BJP leader and arrested him for hate speech.

Raja leaves BJP fuming

Miffed over Raja’s statements as well as the arrest of his party office-bearer, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Wednesday, 20 September, called for a statewide protest.

“Under the current DMK regime in Tamil Nadu, the dignity and heritage of Tamils, ​​and their antiquity and faith ​​are being denigrated by the DMK continuously,” Annamalai charged, asking his cadres to hold protests and fill up jails.

Raja’s call for Dravidian parties to question Sanatana Dharma and his defiant defence of his statements have angered the BJP, whose leaders called him “anti-Hindu”.

“Sanghis are angry. They want me to apologise. They are calling me anti-Hindu. I don’t mind apologising but for what should I apologise, you fool,” Raja asked at another event on 20 September. The DMK MP then went on to list how Dravidian parties fought for reservations for people from backward classes and how it was stalled by upper caste Hindus.

“It was Periyar and Annadurai who fought for the 60% reservation for the Backward Classes. Aren’t they all Hindus? How does that make me anti-Hindu then?” Raja sought to know.

Who are Sudras? Are they not Hindus? Why they have been insulted in Manusmrithi denied equality, education, employment and Temple entry. Dravidian Movement as saviour of 90% Hindus questioned and redressed these, cannot be anti-Hindus.

— A RAJA (@dmk_raja) September 13, 2022

Raja was unsparing towards Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi too. “Governor Ravi took oath on the Indian Constitution but asks people to follow Sanatana Dharma. Doesn’t India have a Constitution? Has he not promised to uphold it? Where did Sanatana Dharma come from?” Raja asked, referring to Governor Ravi’s earlier statement asking all those who didn’t practise any religion to also follow Sanatana Dharma.

A Raja was also in the headlines for his speech on secession in July, where he warned the BJP-led Centre not to “force the DMK to push for the demand for a separate Tamil Nadu”.

DMK cautious

While the DMK backed Raja deeming his statements were the need of the hour, the party leadership has largely remained silent over defending his stance.

The DMK leadership has largely remained silent over the statements of A Raja and not openly defended him (Twitter/A Raja)

The party’s official spokesperson V Kannadasan had earlier told South First, “Raja had mentioned what happened and what was there in the Manusmriti. Can the BJP deny that? Raja had pointed out the insults Shudhras faced, the equality, education, employment, and entry to temples that Manusmriti denied.”

Meanwhile, senior leaders of the party like Dayanidhi Maran and PK Sekar Babu ignored questions by the media on Raja’s statements on camera. The reluctance on the part of the DMK senior leadership to openly and confidently back Raja is being seen as a strategic move aimed at a tightrope walk over the Hindu vote.

“First of all, Raja’s speech is prominent, and it was not against Hindus but Brahmin supremacists. They practice their slang, dress codes, and praying ways, which are entirely different from the rest of Hindus. Because of them, most non-Brahmins, also Hindus, are missing opportunities in all forms. Only they enjoy the powers. Raja spoke in support of the majority of the Hindus and reiterated the stand of DMK and Periyar. How can that be problematic to the party? Why should he not speak such things to enlighten the Hindus?” Rajiv Gandhi, advocate and spokesperson of DMK, said.