Few takers for Dravidan solidarity

More than six decades after the Dravidar Kazhagam founder EVR Periyar, the proponent of Dravida Nadu policy dropped the plank; actor Kamal Haasan through his party Makkal Needhi Maiam has revived it through a call for the solidarity of South Indian states.  

However, political analysts feel the move is too unrealistic and bound to have a negative reaction in the state at a time when even the major Dravidian parties are facing flak from emerging Tamil nationalist outfits which are campaigning that the Dravida platform had resulted in severe setback for Tamil Nadu. In practice, all the Dravidian parties too had moved to the Tamil nationalist plank although they continue to maintain the Dravidian tag. 

Political analyst ‘Aazhi’ Senthilnathan said, “The term Dravida is viewed with a different meaning and perspective now. After the separation of states from the Madras Presidency in 1956, South Indian solidarity slogan holds no water. If it should be practical, Kamal Haasan should launch his party in all the six states and see the feedback. Raising the unity slogan in Tamil Nadu alone will not fetch any positive result.” 

Further, commenting on the actor’s suggestion for a dialogue to resolve the Cauvery dispute, he cited Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s attempt to get appointment from his Karnataka counterpart for a meeting to discuss release of Cauvery water. “We all know that Karnataka government refused to give an appointment for a meeting.” Leaders from the ruling AIADMK as well as the supporters of RK Nagar legislator TTV Dinakaran heaved a sigh of relief after the actor’s party launch, which they claimed was a lackluster affair. 

Opposition leaders, however, declined to comment saying that it would not be proper to comment on his policy when he had not attacked them. One of the DMK functionaries said Kamal could have come out with the idea to launch a united South Indian platform against the dominance of communal politics in North India. “It appears sound in paper but not practical as shown by his suggestion on the Cauvery dispute. We are ready to give a hand for unity but cannot shirk from raising our voice for state’s rights,” he added.