Thought Murugan Manadu to be apolitical; didn't see video on Periyar, Anna: AIADMK leader
In the video, the Hindu Munnani portrayed Dravidian stalwarts Periyar and CN Annadurai as ‘atheist jackals’.
RB Udhayakumar
CHENNAI: After coming under sharp criticism for remaining mute spectators to the audio-visual presentation denigrating Dravidian icons played at the BJP-backed Murugan Manadu in Madurai, deputy Leader of Opposition RB Udhayakumar registered the AIADMK’s strong condemnation and said the party leaders who attended the event were sitting behind the screen and could not see the video.
In the video, the Hindu Munnani portrayed Dravidian stalwarts Periyar and CN Annadurai as ‘atheist jackals’. It claimed that the outfit had "triumphed over fake Dravidianism" on several occasions and was remaining steadfast in its mission to end Dravidianism, which it alleged operated under the guise of secularism, to revive a "Theiviga Tamil Nadu".
in a video statement on Tuesday, Udhayakumar said he and other senior functionaries, Sellur K Raju, VV Rajan Chellappa, Kadambur C Raju and KT Rajenthra Bhalaji, attended the conference as "devotees of Lord Murugan".
The AIADMK would never hesitate to register its objection “whenever or wherever Periyar and Anna are criticised”, Udhayakumar said. “We never compromise on our party's stance and ideology," he added, citing the party's decision in September 2023 to sever ties with the BJP over the then state unit president K Annamalai’s disparaging remarks against Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa.
"We believed that the conference would be an apolitical event. We were unaware that the organisers would screen a defamatory video about Dravidian leaders," said Udhayakumar. However, as they were seated behind the screen, there was "no chance of watching or seeing" the video. He also feigned ignorance of the resolutions, which included wiping out Dravidianism, adopted at the conference.
Another leader, Rajenthra Bhalaji, who had attended the event with other leaders, said the AIADMK leaders function with dignity and self-esteem and were not subservient to anyone.
“The AIADMK is not a slave to anyone. We have self-respect,” said the former minister, adding that the party leadership has received assurance from the BJP that such incidents would not happen again.
