Periyar opposed social injustice, fought for equality and Dravidam is minus Aryans, says P. Chidambaram in Karaikudi
The Hindu
P. Chidambaram praises Periyar's fight for equality and relevance of his ideologies, criticizes Governor and RSS leader's remarks.
Periyar opposed social injustice and fought for equality, said senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram here on Saturday.
Speaking to media persons here, he said that the ideologies of Periyar continues to be relevant and with those principles, many issues were addressed in the society.
Taking a volley of questions on the recent row in political and social media circuits on Periyar, he said that the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) may go to Erode, where by poll is taking place soon, and speak about Periyar... “Let us see, how many votes, his party gets there...” he added.
The Congress leader said that Periyar was not an individual. “He may not be there amidst us today, but his ideals remain,” he said. There were very many issues on which Periyar fought and even emerged victorious then, which had sown the seeds for Dravidam in Tamil Nadu.
He further said that Dravidam was minus Aryans. It was incorrect to confine Dravidam within Tamil Nadu and it was suited to all the southern States including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and among others. Like in Tamil Nadu, there were progressive thinkers such as Narayana Guru and Basavanna. Even in the national anthem, the word Dravida.... figured. Hence, Dravidam should be looked upon in a broader perspective, he underlined.
Expressing concern over the reports on rise in revenue from Tasmac during festivals, Mr Chidambaram said that lottery ban in the State was justified. “When we were worried about one evil (liquor), why should we open doors for another (lottery)“, he responded to a query on allowing lottery in the State like Kerala.
On Tamil Nadu Governor. he said that it was disappointing and disgusting seeing the actions of the Governor. The Supreme Court had directed to settle things between the Governor and TN government within a week. Hence, the Governor should function with responsibility and as per the Constitution.
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