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TAMIL TRIBUNE, July 2005 (ID. 2005-07-f1)
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I strongly oppose the imposition of Hindi in Tamilnadu. My friends and I used to discuss about Tamilnadu independence but I receive very poor response from other Tamils. I think the ideology of Tamil nationalism and preserving one's cultural identity must be widespread among the youngsters, especially students. Some political organization like the pre-1960's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) must spearhead this task and some means must be sort out in motivating our other Dravidian neighbours to make similar demands through outfits like Kannada Rakshana Vedike and some Telugu and Malayalam associations. Let us do something for the liberation of Tamilnadu.
March 20, 2005
Thanjai Nalankilli's Response
Your comments are well thought out and the following information may interest you.
Although their numbers are small, almost every college in Tamil Nadu has its share of small groups of Tamil nationalists interested in the liberation of Tamil Nadu from Indian rule. They however keep a very low profile because of Indian Government's highhanded actions against any threat to Hindian hegemony over Tamil Nadu. As you said, these nationalist feelings among the younger generation should be kindled further. Much more work needs to be done.
Until 1963 DMK did a lot to spread the flames of liberation in Tamil Nadu. The impotent leaders of DMK abandoned it when the Indian Constitution was amended to prohibit those advocating independence for a region of India from contesting elections [Reference 1, 2]. The late Poet Perunchiththiranar (also known as Pavalareru) exercised his freedom of speech and talked and wrote about the need for independence and inspired thousands [Reference 3]. However he did not form an organization dedicated to the liberation of Tamil Nadu (for good reasons). Except for the few secretive armed groups of which very little is known except for occasional news reports of a few arrests here and there, no other organization for the liberation of Tamil Nadu exists because any such organization would be banned. The non-existence of such an organization should not be construed as non-existence of a Tamil Nadu independence movement.
Those nationalists committed to independence live in every city of Tamil Nadu and a few cities abroad too. They go about moving the independence movement forward quietly in whatever way they can. Some give financial help to those like the late Poet Perunchiththiranar for the continued publication of his magazine in spite of government attempts to shut it down. Some quietly spread the message, not from public platforms, but on a one on one basis in a low key. They usually discuss the pros and cons of independence and offhandedly mention articles or other publications relating to independence. I heard of a student who copied slogans and articles relating to independence and slipped them in to other students' rooms at night secretly. I do not know what effect it had but he was doing what he could. I know the son of an industrialist giving jobs to Tamil nationalists in his father's company. Then of course there are a few like Poet Perunchiththiranar who have totally devoted their lives to Tamil Nadu independence. There are many ways one can further the independence cause depending on their mindset, circumstances, and talents.
There are devoted Tamil nationalists in almost every walk of life. I know of Tamil nationalists in the Indian Air Force and in the Indian Foreign Service. I know police officers, lawyers, movie artists, students, schoolteachers and professors. I know of IAS officers in the very heart of the Indian government in New Delhi. Some of them were so disgusted with Hindi imposition (pressure to use more and more Hindi) and the arrogance and chauvinism shown by fellow Hindi-speaking officers and some cabinet ministers, it drove them to appreciate Tamil nationalist perspectives. In the end the arrogance of Hindi chauvinists could very well be the best recruitment tool for Tamil Nadu independence movement.
I agree with you that we should motivate other southern states also to work for their independence. However, whether any progress is made in those states or not, Tamil independence movement should plough on. We should also raise our voice in support the independence struggles in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Tripura, etc., and let them know of Tamil aspirations for independence also. Expatriate Tamils in foreign countries should stay out of Indian organizations and establish our own identity as Tamils. Tamils who have acquired citizenship in those countries should support politicians who are sympathetic to Tamil Nadu independence. Again, in this we can join hands with others nationalities of India who are seeking independence and are canvassing support from sympathetic politicians.
Independent Tamil Nadu is our birthright!
We will ask for it!
We will fight for it!
We will achieve it!!
REFERENCES
1. DMK, Dravida Nadu and D.B.S. Jeyaraj (by K.J. Trivedi and Thanjai Nalankilli), TAMIL TRIBUNE, July 2003 (10 KB)
2. DMK and Tamil Nadu Independence: A Recent Political History of TamilNadu (by Thanjai Nalankilli), TAMIL TRIBUNE, November 2003 (28 KB)
3. Who is this Perunchiththiranar? (by Thanjai Nalankilli), TAMIL TRIBUNE, October 1999.
RELATED ARTICLE
Tamil Nadu Independence Movements
[EDITORIAL NOTE: The Tamil name Perunchiththiranar is sometimes spelled as Perungchiththiranar.]
SUMMARY: A discussion on how to give momentum to Tamilnadu independence movement.
FIS050616 2005-a1d
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