Was Lord Macaulay responsible for education for all? (Tamil Janam TV)

The recently released movie 'Vettaiyan' starring with super hero-s like Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan created a stir by the opening verse on Lord Macauley that he was responsible for bringing education for all which was denied until then. I was asked about the veracity of this observation and my replies were telecast by Janam TV (Tamil) channel. 

I bring out the facts about the existence of a national universal education throughout India for ages which was uprooted by Macaulay. It resulted in closure of traditional schools and impoverished the masses. This also gave rise to child labour for the first time in India. How that happened can be learnt from my interview here: 

Udayanidhi’s Call: Dravidian Model for eradication of Sanatana Dharma (Vijayvaani.com)

 Published in Vijayvaani.com

Udayanidhi’s Call: Dravidian Model for 

eradication of Sanatana Dharma

by Jayasree Saranathan

on 05 Sep 2023

On Saturday, 2nd September, Udayanidhi Stalin, son of the DMK supremo and the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamilnadu stirred a hornet’s nest by calling for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma in his address to the ‘Sanatan Abolition Conference’ convened by the Progressive Writers and Artists Forum, in Chennai. Coming closely on the heels of the just concluded meeting of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. alliance in Mumbai, this outburst by a prominent member of a constituent party of the alliance garnered national attention.

 

While his speech was seen as a call to incite genocide of believing Hindu groups, the same utterances were excused as a right to free speech by the DMK supporters. The local TN Congress leaders were quick to pitch in to support Udayanidhi; Karti Chidambaram drew our attention by his tweet that ‘everyone who is batting for “SD” (Sanatan Dharma) comes from the privileged segment who are beneficiaries of the “Hierarchy”’, forgetting that he is married into the so-called privileged segment.

 

That the local Congress cadres had their own compulsions to support Udayanidhi’s indefensible verbal assault on Hindus by his attack on Sanatana Dharma, can be seen from the manner in which Congressmen outside Tamilnadu objected to his speech. The Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole told ANI that the Congress party ‘neither comments nor believes in hurting anyone’s religious sentiments,’ and added that they ‘can’t take onus for someone else’s statement’.

 

While official responses from other alliance partners are awaited, it goes without saying that Udayanidhi has added salt to the injuries already inflicted by his party on North Indians, particularly the people of Bihar, UP and Northeast. Not long ago several migrant workers from the North fled from Chennai and Tiruppur, the textile hub, following hostile propaganda against ‘Vadakkans’ (northies). In the forefront was Udayanidhi, inciting anti-Hindi slogans while he had no qualms in buying rights for Hindi films through his Production and Distribution company, Red Giants.

 

Biharis are particularly are in the line of attack of the DMK headed by Udayanidhi’s father M.K. Stalin, who views the Bihar-born Tamilnadu Governor, R.N. Ravi, as a villain. Nothing can be more atrocious than the scorn spit by the DMK leader R.S. Bharati in an indirect dig at the Governor when he said that those who sell Soan Papdi and Panipuri don’t know the pride of Tamilnadu.

 

The arrest of a Youtuber, Manish Kashyap, further deepened the crisis which reflected in the opposition to M.K. Stalin’s visit to Bihar in June 2023, to attend a meeting of the Opposition parties convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Twitterverse was buzzing with the hashtag #GoBackStalin with the tweet of T.R.B. Raja, DMK minister for Industries and son of T.R. Balu,..... Continue to read HERE

Rama, Ram Setu, Vanaras, Ravana and Dravida - my Talk in "Thamarai TV"

 My interview to #ThamaraiTV on issues around

* Ram Setu * the politicisation of Ram Setu * the identity of Vanaras as human beings * the adoption of Ravana as a Dravida King * the Dravida identity originally belonging to Brahmins & more

What defines the 'race' of Tamizh people - my talk in 'Pesu Tamizha Pesu' channel

 * Which is more correct historically & culturally- Thamizhagam or Thamizh Naadu?

* Dravida is a Vandheri (migrant) as per Arya-Dravida theory - Is it true? * Dravida is not a race (இனம்).

* Those who claim so must pass the test of 'zha' (ழகாரம்) My talk in Pseu Tamizha Pesu

Yuga and political issues around Ram Setu - My talk in 'Pesu Tamizha Pesu' channel

 Watch my replies to various questions on #RamSetu in

@pesutamizhapesu

* Adam's bridge or Ram Setu? * Did Rama live in Treta Divya Yuga 8 lakh yrs ago or Treta Dharma yuga 7k yrs ago? * Evidence for Ram Setu * Political posturing on Ram Setu

My talk in 'Viyan Tamil' on Varna, Jaathi and Dravida

 In my talk to #ViyanTamil I spoke on

* Varna vs Jaathi * Manu Dharma offering portfolio allotment by varna-mix * Kanchi as Dravida country * Caste conflicts in Kanchi * Brahmins identifying themselves as Dravidas * No Tamil king called himself a Dravida

My talk in 'Viyan Tamil' Channel on Ram Setu

 What did Veeramani of DK tell about Ram Setu?

Did I become tense when faced with this question? Watch my interview to #ViyanTamil I also answered these questions * Was Ram Setu made by Rama? * Was Adam's bridge the original name of Ram Setu?

Controversy over 'Tamizhagam vs Tamilnadu' - My interview to Dinamalar

Recently the Tamilnadu Governor expressed his view that "Thamizhagam" is more apt than "Tamilnadu" which was met with a strong reaction from the DMK. In this interview to Dinamalar, I have focused on why the Governor had said so, analyzing the issue from his angle. In that context I also spoke about Dravida and the deliberate planting of Brahmin hatred by the colonial British which was followed by the DMK.

 

Who is a Dravida? - My talk in 'Pesu Tamizha Pesu' channel

 Watch my interview to Pesu Tamizha Pesu Tamil Channel on Aryan vs Dravidian issue. 

I addressed other issues such as

# Are Tamils Dravidians?

# Is there a land called Dravida?

# Is there a language called Dravida? 

# Why did Adi Shankara call himself as "Dravida Shishu"?

# Who was the first Dravida King?

No Lady-aa, Modi-aa – It’s Modi Only if he chooses to contest from Tamilnadu.

 A political blog from me after a long time!

With the 2024 Lok Sabha election nearing fast, we are getting to hear multiple interpretations on the state of things. Foremost is about the state of alliances in Tamilnadu. With EPS looking unwilling to align with the BJP, there is a common perception that it will lead to a 3-cornered contest which would work to the advantage of the ruling DMK.

This stark fact is known to the BJP as well and as such we can expect the BJP think tank at the center to create a 2-cornered contest. They won’t allow a 3-cornered contest in Tamilnadu. How this will take shape is palpable from certain quick developments seen in the recent days. These developments work in two ways – political and creation of an environment.

Politically, the game of waiting on EPS is almost over.  After his return from Delhi, Annamalai has upped the ante for go-it-alone mode which means retaining the lead in the NDA alliance and not depending on the ADMK. This might send shock waves in both the ADMK and the BJP over the prospect of three or multi cornered contest, but think of the way politicians behave. Politics means life time business for most in the two Dravidian parties. They cannot exist without power or brokerage. They will sway towards the side where the winds are favorable. The early indication on the ADMK camp has become palpable recently.

OPS was a given a breathing space just a few days ago when he was given an audience with the top brass of the BJP including the Prime Minister on the sidelines of the swearing-in of the Gujarat Assembly. OPS, and not EPS was spotted in the front row of that ceremony. Is the central BJP having second thoughts on EPS? Have they decided to lend tacit support to OPS with a view to garner Thevar segments?

Imagine a scenario when OPS severs from the ADMK and forms his own faction; he will be taken into the NDA. But do you think that the whole of lot of seasoned politicians in the EPS camp would remain as dump spectators? They knew very well that they cannot win in a 3-cornered contest in 2024. The situation will be no different in 2026 too. Political acumen dictates that they join with OPS, though there may not be many direct entrants to the BJP. I expect a considerable number of MLAs (both sitting and ex) to throw their weight behind OPS. This would be more certain, if the DMK also is headed for a split.  

Yes, split in the DMK appears very certain given the hard fact that the CBI is tightening its noose around Kanimozhi. From Delhi Rajagopal’s inputs it looks certain that Kanimozhi along with A. Raja is going to face legal troubles. Does this not offer an opportunity to fix a deal to make Kanimozhi do a Shinde in Tamilnadu? (Tempted to link Annamalai’s soft corner for Trichy Surya for the likely utility he can offer in this scenario).

The elevation of Udayanidhi had not come a day later that there are more cons than pros in his elevation. The old-timers who are not willing to carry a fresh sand bag (Manal Moottai) in Udayanidhi would be more than willing to side with Kanimozhi who would be happier to start her own party “KDMK” (Karunanidhi DMK).

This is likely to get the support of M.K. Azhagiri too whose bastion (Madurai) is becoming the focus of attention for the BJP as the venue for G-20 meetings. Azhagiri may be lying low but his supporters are just dormant and bidding their time. Moreover, would Azhagiri lose a chance to promote his son when he gets a chance to checkmate the rise of Stalin’s son?

If the DMK is splitting, it means NDA’s chances are increasing. The ADMK split would be complete with more heavyweights coming to OPS camp. Should I need to tell that OPS and Kanimozhi would be part of the NDA then?

A split DMK and a split ADMK would make the contest in favor of the NDA.

The final nailing would be given by the Prime Minister Modi, the Master Strategist!

What Rangaraj Pandey told in Tamilnadu Dialogues would become true. Modi would contest from Tamilnadu – preferably from Kanchi – in addition to his present constituency Varanasi.

The environment comes into focus here.

The focus of Kasi-Tamil Sangamam on ordinary people from mofussil and rural regions of Tamilnadu would have a pro-Modi impact on the rural populations who care to go to the polling booth. The local booth-worker network of the TNBJP has a big role.

Modi’s love for Bharatiyaar makes me think that he may be toying with the idea of contesting from Kanchipuram – a place mentioned by Bharatiyar in the context of Kashi (making a communication equipment to deliver the poems of Kashi-poets to Kanchi). If he contests from Kanchipuram, it would have an impact on the whole of Chennai which is mostly a DMK stronghold. That hold of the DMK would be broken by Modi contesting from Kanchi.

With Kanimozhi faction and OPS faction coming into reality and joining the NDA (no other go once they come out) and scores of others coming under the NDA, it would enable an all-round presence throughout Tamilnadu. Modi entering the fray in Tamilnadu in that scenario would definitely charge the atmosphere. This is more probable in the given situation and the kind of developments in the last few days – that can avert a 3-cornered contest.

The loser will be EPS who seems to think that is a la Jayalalithaa!

Jayalalithaa was taller enough to challenge Modi – and ask the electorate to choose between Lady and Modi. But today there is no challenger to Modi and EPS is no Lady! High time EPS realizes this or else… Handling Tamilnadu to opt for 2-cornered contest is not a tough task for the strategists of the BJP.

PS: The hate Modi campaign by Dravida Model people is centred around GST and Demonetization. It's good these two are now under the purview of the Supreme court. A favourable verdict before 2024 elections will go a long way in defusing the hate campaign of the D Stock. 

The only other hate factor is the propaganda that BJP is 'matha- vaada katchi'. By consolidating majority vote bank, possible to do a cake-walk

Tamil New Year controversy - Part 1 (My arguments against New Year in Thai)

Regular and long time readers would have known that I have been consistently questioning the attempts by the DMK governments in the past to change Tamil New Year from Chitthirai to the month of Thai. One can see my talks and articles questioning the change of the New Year, in 2012 archives. Now with the installation of the DMK government in the State, the New Year controversy has come up after the Govt printed New Year wishes on the Ration products distributed for Thai Pongal. In this backdrop, my interview to the You Tube Channel Desiya Siragugal is telecast in three parts starting from today. 

In the 1st part, I am examining the evidences presented by Mr. Karunanidhi and Tamil scholars in support of Thai as the New Year and prove them to be wrong. I am also bringing out the true relevance of  "Pongal" and the genesis of  the three festivals - Bhogi, Pongal and Maattu Pongal - which were basically related to the cattle-breeding Yadava people having allegiance to Krishna. 

NEP2020 is LIP service – Language Imposition Policy.

சொன்னால் விரோதம் ஆயினும் சொல்கிறேன்!

What is the aim of education?

The answer to this is same as “what is the aim of life?” says Peters, a professor of philosophy of education at the University of London. So what is the aim of life? The answer can be spiritual, philosophical or materialistic. In olden days, people were clear about what they wanted in life and based on that gone after the kind of education that was suitable for them. They learned the three Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic) and those after material pursuits learned the hereditary skill in addition.

Where are we today? Today also we need these, the three Rs and skill to support our material progress. So any educational policy of the government must be based on these. Does the newly rolled out National Educational Policy 2020 fulfill this?

The first shocker is the promotion of “Multi-lingualism” at formative years aimed at cutting off ‘Phoren” English but forcing down  “Phoren Hindi, phoren Marathi, phoren Bengali ……and so on” for the child of a different mother tongue.

So, the two of the three Rs are going to be drawn from three different languages, none of them going to be of help to material progress of the child later. Where just one language can do, the government is thrusting three languages for the fault of having born in multi-lingual India.  That one language happens to be English is what troubles the Government. But that language makes my ward expand his frontiers of knowledge is no concern to the Government. That one language enables my ward to present his findings in journals read by reputed scientists around the world is of no concern to the government. What the government wants is to make India “Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat” says this link https://taxguru.in/corporate-law/national-education-policy-2020-nep-2020.html

For a concept like this – of promoting Classical languages, regional languages, why sacrifice my ward’s time, youth, aspirations and capabilities? Regional language development is the responsibility of the State governments. Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat comes by cultural unity and not by forcing three languages through my ward’s tongue – none of which are going to fill his stomach. It is a lone battle for each child when it comes to choosing the subjects of choice and University of choice in the midst of oppressing  reservation policy which no government is going to do away with.

It is even funny reading the claims of NEP on multiple entry and exit  with certification. What is the cost of it in the job market? Will Tata or Infosys recruit my ward with such certificates? Such entry and exit may have limited use for very less number of people. For the majority, proper streams of subjects learned through the medium that is most valuable in today’s world is the need of the hour. Why many people with professional degree are not able to land up in good jobs but are turned away with the advice to undertake a course in English? This is common sight in Tamilnadu, mainly because it chose a bad education policy tinged with regional language chauvinism. The same is now being promoted by the BJP government at the national level through NEP2020.

The next deception is the claim that the present 10+2 stands scrapped. NEP 2020 proposes 5+3+3+4 curricular structure starting from the age of 3, with 3 years of pre-schooling (one additional year before LKG and UKG) and 12 years of schooling. In what way it is different from 10+2?  With the burden of exams at 3^rd, 5^th and 8^th Grade (Standard in the current system) and Board exams at 10^th and 12^th Grade, it is nothing but the old wine in a new cup. Nothing changes for the kids and their parents. Only additional burden in the form of ‘phoren’ languages of India and a bleak future once the student steps out of school.

The next issue that pops up is whether this policy is applicable to CBSE or all boards. Since education is in concurrent list, I wonder how this can be forced on all States. The claim of “universalization of education” gives a deja vu of ‘uniform syllabus’ introduced by Karunanidhi that killed education in State Board schools of Tamilnadu. It saw a migration to CBSE stream. Now with NEP2020, there is going to be a flight from CBSE to ICSE and international schools. We are going to see a vertical division of the society between haves and have-nots with haves (who can afford the hefty cost of those schools) rising up in the ladder with better access given by English knowledge. 

All those who are against English as medium of instruction are language chauvinists, Hindi belt BJP-ians who struggle to connect with non-Hindi speaking people, think-tanks of foreign origin or think-tanks who made English speaking countries their homes, and who are still awed at Japan, Germany, Russia, China etc for their strides with local languages without blinking an eye on the local conditions. China may curb English, but Chinese want to learn English. I hear from sources how they feel disadvantaged at not being able to promote their researches at the world level. India should not behave like China in language policy. I find either political motives or political leanings among the supporters of NEP2020, but can see none among them a struggling parent for whom education means an investment for future. Definitely the language policy at school and High school is going to stunt their growth and slash their dreams of making it big in life.

I am just fed up with their arguments which are same as the ones I have been hearing right from the 90s. At that time the issue was around English as ‘link language’. The present problem is also because of the same reason - the BJP government not willing to accept English as the link language.

In the place of learning just one link language which can be used within India and outside as well, this Government is forcing three languages from the pool of Indian languages for the tiny tots until 8^th standard. After the 8^th grade there is no way the student can learn the subjects through English. So successfully the BJP government is closing the opportunities for all the students to learn what is happening outside India. I can easily foresee how future-Indians are going to be like – having seen how the Tamil-only- learners have turned out to be now. And BJP wants only such people – the “Nationalists” whose identity lies only in their national tongue which is ultimately going to be Hindi!

Related post:  Leave the language to us, Amit Shah ji

அரசியல் பிரவேசத்தில் அவதார புருஷராகும் ரஜினிகாந்த்

அரசியலில் அறம் என்றாலே என்னவென்று பார்க்காத மக்கள் நாம். ‘அரசியல் பிழைத்தோர்க்கு அறமே கூற்று’ என்று சிலப்பதிகாரத்தில் படித்ததுதான். பிழை செய்யும் எந்த அரசியல்வாதியையும் அறம் தாக்கவில்லை. ஆனால் இன்று அறவழி அரசியலை முன்னிறுத்தி ரஜினி தயாராகிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார். அவரது அறவழி அரசியல்தான், நாசகார அரசியலாருக்குக் கூற்றாக இருக்கப் போகிறது.  அதைச் செய்ய விரும்பும் திரு ரஜினிகாந்த் அவர்களை மனதார வரவேற்கிறேன்.

அந்த அறவழி அரசியலுக்கு அடித்தளமாக இருப்பவை மூன்று கட்டளைகள். அவர் சொன்னதாக அந்த மூன்று கட்டளைகள் வலைத்தளத்தில் உலவி வருகின்றன. அவற்றைச் சொல்வதற்கே ரஜினி அவர்களை அரசியல் களத்தில் வரவேற்க வேண்டும். முதல் இரண்டும் அவர் ரசிகர்- தொண்டர்களுக்குச் சம்மதமே என்று தெரிகிறது. 

தேர்தலில் போட்டியிட 60% இளைஞர்களுக்கு முன்னுரிமை தர விரும்புகிறார். திறமை, அனுபவமும் முக்கியத்துவம் பெறும். இது நல்ல விஷயமே.

அடுத்து அவர் சொன்னது அன்று காந்தியடிகள் காங்கிரஸைக் கலைக்கச் சொன்னதற்கு ஒப்பானது. காந்தியடிகள் சுதந்திரம் பெற்றவுடன் காங்கிரசின் தேவை முடிந்து விட்டது, எனவே கட்சியைக் கலைத்து விட வேண்டும் என்றார். ரஜினி அவர்கள் தேர்தல் முடிந்தவுடன் கட்சிப் பதவிகளைக் கலைத்து விட வேண்டும் என்கிறார். கட்சிப் பொறுப்பாளர்களிடமிருந்து பெட்டி பெட்டியாக வசூல் செய்யும் இன்றைய அரசியல் சூழ்நிலையில், இப்படிப்பட்ட ஒரு கட்டளை இவர் வசூல் ராஜா இல்லை என்பதையும் தன் கட்சிக்காரர்களும் அவ்வாறு இருக்கக்கூடாது என்பதில் கவனமாக இருக்கிறார் என்பதையும் காட்டுகிறது. கண்டிப்பாக இது சிஸ்டம் சேஞ்சுக்கு அடிகோலும்.

அடுத்து அவர் சொன்னதாகச் சொல்லப்படுவதுதான் ரசிகர்களுக்கு ஏற்புடையதாக இல்லை. அவர் அரசியல், அரசாங்கம் இரண்டையும் பிரித்துப் பார்க்கிறார். இதுவரை தமிழ் நாட்டு அரசியல் கட்சிகள் எல்லாம் இரண்டையும் கலந்தும், இரண்டுக்கும் ஒரே தலைவரே என்றும் நம்மைப் பழக்கப்படுத்தி வைத்திருந்தன. மேலும் தனி மனித வழிபாட்டையே பார்த்து நாம் வளர்ந்து விட்டோம். இப்பொழுது கம்பெனி ஒன்றை நடத்துவது போல, சேர்மனாகக் கட்சித் தலைவரும், அவர் வழி காட்டுதலில் தலைமை அதிகாரியாக, ஒரு சி-ஈ.ஓ-வாக (CEO) முதல் மந்திரியும் இருக்கக்கூடிய சூழ்நிலையைக் கொண்டுவர ரஜினி நினைக்கிறார். அது நல்லதுதானே!

அவர் கட்சியை பலப்படுத்தவும், அவர் கொண்டு வர விரும்பும் - நமக்குத் தேவையான - சிஸ்டம் சேஞ்சையும் உருவாக்கவும் அவரது நேரமும், எண்ணமும் அங்கு இருக்க வேண்டும். முதன் மந்திரி பதவியில் இருந்து கொண்டே அத்தனையும் செய்வது சிரமம். புது இலக்கை நோக்கி அவர் முதல் அடியெடுத்து வைக்கும் போது, கட்சி, ஆட்சி இரண்டையுமே பலப்படுத்த ஆரம்பப் படி இவ்வாறு இருப்பது அவர் கட்சிக்காரர்களுக்குத்தான் நல்லது. ஆரம்பிக்கும் கட்சி என்றென்றும் நிலைத்து நிற்க வேண்டாமா?

மேலும் இன்றைய நாட்டு நடப்பையும் கருத்தில் கொள்ள வேண்டும். சிஸ்டத்தைக் கெடுத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் அனைத்து அரசியல் கட்சிகளும், வேசி சினிமாக்காரர்களும், சிவப்பு விளக்கு ஊடகங்களும் அவரை ஒரு வில்லனாகத்தான் பார்க்கின்றன. அவர் மட்டும் முதலமைச்சர் வேட்பாளராக நிற்கட்டும், மோடியை விட அதிகமாகவே இவர் மீது காழ்ப்பு காட்டி எதிர்ப்பு அரசியல் செய்வார்கள். அதற்கெல்லாம் தலைவர் அசரமாட்டார். ஆனால் அவர் கொண்டு வர விரும்பும் மாற்றத்துக்கு அது வழி வகுக்காது. அவரை மட்டுமல்ல, அவரது குடும்பத்தினைரையும் இழுப்பார்கள். ரஜினி அவர்களது வேகத்துக்கு இவையெல்லாம் முட்டுக்கட்டை  போடும்.

மேலும் இன்றைய தமிழக அரசியல் சூழலில் பிரித்தாளும் சூழ்ச்சி அமோகமாக நடந்து கொண்டு வருகிறது. ஜெயலலிதா இருந்த போது அது அவ்வளவாக பலிக்கவில்லை. எனினும் அவ்வ பொழுது ஜெயலலிதாவும் சில சமரசங்களைச் செய்ய வேண்டியிருந்தது. நான் எதைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறேன் என்று புரிந்திருக்கும். சில தினங்களுக்கு முன்தான் இசுலாமியர்களை ரஜினி கூப்பிட்டுப் பேசியிருக்கிறார். என்ன பேசினார் என்று தெரியாது. ஆனால் சிறந்த தேசியவாதியான ரஜினி அவர்கள் இசுலாமியர் தேசிய நீரோட்டத்தில் கலப்பதையே விரும்புவார். அதற்காகத்தான் பாடுபடுவார். இன்றைய சூழநிலையில் ரஜினி என்னும் அரசியல் புதுமுகத்தால் அந்த மாற்றத்தையும் கொண்டுவர முடியும்.

அதனால் அவர் எடுக்க விரும்பும் ரோலை திறமையாகச் செய்ய உதவுங்கள். வெற்றி பெறும் ஒவ்வொரு தொகுதியும் அவருக்கு கிடைக்கபோகிற பெர்சனல் வெற்றிதான். அவர்தான் சூத்திரதாரி. அதில் சந்தேகமே இல்லை. ஆட்சிப் பொறுப்பில் அமர போகிறவருக்கும் மேலே அவர் கண்காணிப்பாளராக இருக்கப் போகிறார். ஒரு முறை அவர் ஆட்சியைப் பிடித்து விடட்டும். கட்சியையும், மக்களையும் தன் வசப்படுத்திக் கொண்டபின் அடுத்த முறை, அல்லது அதற்கு முன்பே கூட அவரே முதல்வர் பதவியில் அமரட்டும். இன்றைய சூழலில் அவர் அவதார புருஷராக உருவெடுக்கட்டும். பிறகு அட்மினிஸ்ட்ரேட்டராக ஆகட்டும்.

அந்த நாளில் 'நான் மகான் அல்ல' என்னும் ரஜினி திரைப்படம் வந்தபோது அந்தத் தலைப்பைக் குறித்து சர்ச்சை எழுந்தது. மகான் அல்ல என்பது சினிமாவுக்குத்தான். இன்று அரசியல் மகானாக அவர் உருவெடுக்கும் அறிகுறிகள் தென்படுகின்றன. அதற்கு உறுதுணை செய்வோம்.

Kejriwal owes his victory to MK Formula – the Coronavirus of Democracy!

M Karunanidhi (MK) Formula of freebies and minority appeasement is taking shape as the Coronavirus of Democracy in India. Its latest impact was seen at the just released Delhi Legislative Assembly results. At a time Tamilnadu politics seems to have come out of the competitive MK Formula with the demise of the two stalwarts Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, we thought that this Formula will have its natural death. But, no, it has popped up at the nation’s capital and bestowed its benefits on the user for the second time. It is not likely to die away in the absence of constraints of the kind it had in Tamilnadu.

Freebies crunch your resources, but not so in a place like Delhi, where the Government of India is directly dealing with the upkeep of many utilities and facilities that impact the common man. As a result Kejriwal has lesser strings tied to his hands when he goes about offering everything ‘except liquor’ free (to quote Arnab’s words). Suppose Delhi is not the capital of India and the central Government has no obligation to spend on Delhi, could the voters of Delhi get the twin advantage of freebies from ruling party at the UT and world class facilities from the central Government?

Only less than a year ago the same voters gave a resounding victory to the BJP. By pushing it to the periphery now, the voter-mentality can be read well – that it is infected with MK Formula. The Delhi voters enjoy a peculiar advantage of both the bribe-by-freebie of the once anti- bribery crusader and the classy facilities of the capital city. In this backdrop Prashant Kishor advice is just a name-sake that serves no better purpose than PK adding it in his resume.

Minority appeasement, the other integral part of MK Formula has become a national norm nowadays with every party religiously following it. Whether the BJP also follows it or not is in perpetual doubt thanks to the skills of the BJP top brass! So we are left with our own assessment of the situation on how to cure our democracy from this coronavirus (somehow brought the current fad into the articleJ) and here are the remedies which most others would agree with, I believe.

·         Take out the territory of the Capital city from the UT and bring it under direct control of the central government. Let the rest of the UT be made a State or merged with adjoining States. In that set up the corrupt offer of carrots can be avoided or left to the State to manage the resources by itself to pay for the development of the State. Freebies and development can’t go together. Someday the freebies have to be reduced and done away with. In the current set-up both will go on perennially in Delhi.   

·         Since it is difficult to re-produce Delhi –type MK Formula in other States, the Formula will be reduced to minority appeasement only, but not necessarily in Tamilnadu which had seen the advantages of the Formula wholesome. Therefore it is imperative to get the Anti-conversion Law and Uniform Civil Code in place before the Assembly elections in Tamilnadu. If we fail to do that now, we may never get another time. And none can stop Tamilnadu becoming DMK-nadu!