Sree Govind Bharatvaraj In the recent past, the popular filmmaker Ranjith has been overtly criticized as an anti-Periyarist and a Hindutva supporter by Dravidian intellectuals and Periyarists. Starting from senior intellectuals like Suba Veerapandian to young Periyarists, this criticism is framed around Ranjith. But how far this argument is true is a serious one that …
What Bihar means for Dalit parties and their narrow vision
Ravi Chandran The Bihar election is a blow to the ruling BJP and the Hindutva parties associated with it. It should further upset those who came with the exit poll results, including the CSDS. The media, especially the English press and electronic media should be ashamed of talking against the alliance of RJD, JD …
It is a planned murder: Thol. Thirumavalavan on Gokulraj’s killing
Thol. Thirumavalavan condemns brutal killing of a Dalit Youth in Tiruchengode and a Muslim Youth in Pallikonda Police Station A racist gang of caste hindus had kidnapped and beheaded a Dalit engineering graduate, Gokulraj in Tiruchengode of Namakkal District (Tamil Nadu, on 23rd June 2015). This is a planned murder by the gang which …
A Mass Movement for the Dalits? The VCK and party politics in TN
Hugo Gorringe & D. Karthikeyan, University of Edinburgh Speaking at a memorial to honour the memory of Dalits killed by casteist fanatics in Melavalavu last month, Thol. Thirumavalavan, the leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) called for ‘a mass movement’ to protect the rights and dignity of Dalits in the state. A catalogue …
Vanniyar mob attack Dalit cheri in Chidambaram after polls
Joshua Isaac Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. An organized mob of around 300 Vanniyar men attacked a Dalit Cheri, Vadakumangudi, in Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, in the late hours of the evening today, April 24, 2014. According to eye witnesses, Vadakumangudi Cheri was attacked this evening at 7 pm by a Vanniyar mob …
Caste combined with politics is the culprit: Thirumavalavan
Balaji Lakshmipathi@Moses This article is a translation and transcription of a special phone-in program called ‘Love that ended in death’ (‘maranathil mudintha kathal’) featuring the VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan which was hosted by Thanthi TV on 11/7/13. The TV anchor Mr Pandey led the discussion and facilitated questions from viewers. Video 1 {youtube}qaEKOvzhSX0{/youtube} We …
“I am not a slave and don’t make me a slave”- Annan Pasupathi Pandian, a tribute
Ravi Chandran (With editorial suggestions from Kuffir) This article is an attempt to bring together information about the Dalit revolutionary leader Pasupathi Pandian, who was brutally murdered a couple of days ago (January 10, 2012). Since only bits and pieces of news material is available on him, I tried to gather some information from the …
The Dravidian movement
Gail Omvedt “So many movements have failed. In Tamil Nadu there was a movement in the name of anti-Brahmanism under the leadership of Periyar. It attracted Dalits, but after 30 years of power, the Dalits understand that they are as badly-off – or worse-off – as they were under the Brahmans. Under Dravidian rule, …