Anti- Hindu sentiment is in the DNA of the DMK party. The famous quotable quote of Mr Karunanidhi is the one characterizing the Hindus as thieves. Probably this view made him think that he can steal from the Hindus for after all they are all thieves! An instance of this mentality is seen in some of the poll promises given by the DMK in its election manifesto 2016.
Article 344 of this manifesto talks about the creation of "Arignar Anna Unavagam" which is obviously a replacement for Amma canteens that are popular with common man. The Amma Unavagam (canteen) is supported by the allocation from Chennai Corporation. The DMK wants to run the proposed Anna canteens with the support of HR & CE (Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department). Though NGOs and corporates are mentioned as other sources of fund for sustaining these canteens, what right the DMK has to lay its hands on the funds of HR & CE?
The Tamil version is given below.
This scheme will be under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister, says the manifesto. One can't imagine to what an extent Karunanidhi or Stalin as CM would go if they get a free hand with the Hindu temple funds!
Karunanidhi's anti Hindu propaganda and denouncement of Hindu Gods is very well known and had continued for all these years. Recently I happen to see a photograph of his daughter Kanimozhi taking part in a DK meeting held to criticize the practice of carrying fire pot in Amman temple festivals.
The DMK's anti Hindu stance is also seen in its promise of reviving Sethu Samudram Project. The manifesto says that the project has been hampered by "reactionary forces"
The most damning feature against Hindus is seen in its promise to set up a committee to look into demands of long time occupants of temple lands to get such lands in their names. The English version of the manifesto refers to such occupants as those offering to purchase such lands. But the Tamil version does not make any such reference. It just says enabling them get the land registered in their names.
Temple lands are not poromboke lands. Even if such occupants are asking for transfer of the land in their name, where is the place for an arbitrator there? The deal is between the temple authorities and the occupants. Already it is a well known fact that there are many illegal occupations of temple lands and where there are legal occupants, the rentals are very low, at the rates fixed many decades ago. The ideal way is to restore the lands to the temple and / or increase the rentals to the current rates.
The real face of the DMK can be known only when we read that part of the manifesto pertaining to the properties of Minority religious bodies. The manifesto says that the properties of Wakf Board will be recovered from encroachments and protected.
If it is Wakf property, the occupants must be removed. But if it is temple property, help the occupants to keep it for themselves. If it is temple fund, Karunanidhi himself will be there in his capacity as the Chief Minister to grab the funds! That is the essence of the DMK manifesto.
Update on 13-05-2016:
