Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan issued a statement today (Jan 29) criticizing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s remarks at the inauguration of the Vanniyar Reservation Martyrs’ Memorial in Villupuram on Jan 28, 2025. CM Stalin had stated that the Dravidian movement was established for social justice and that modern Tamil Nadu was shaped by Dravidian ideology.
Vanathi Srinivasan countered this claim, emphasizing that Tamil Nadu’s growth predates the Dravidian movement, with contributions from leaders like Rajaji, Omandur Ramasamy Reddiar, Kamarajar, MGR, and Jayalalithaa. She pointed out that industrial, irrigation, and educational reforms under Kamarajar laid the foundation for the state’s progress. Additionally, infrastructure projects implemented during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure (1998-2004) and Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past decade have played a significant role in Tamil Nadu’s development.
She accused CM Stalin of unjustly attributing Tamil Nadu’s progress solely to the Dravidian movement while ignoring contributions from other leaders. She also claimed that Robert Caldwell, a Christian missionary, introduced the Dravidian identity to divide Tamil society, and the DMK continues to follow his ideology.
Regarding Tamil’s classical language status, Vanathi noted that the initiative began under Vajpayee’s leadership but was stalled when the BJP-led government lost power in 2004. The subsequent Congress-DMK alliance granted classical status to multiple regional languages, not just Tamil. In contrast, she praised PM Modi for highlighting Tamil’s ancient heritage on international platforms.
She argued that equating Tamil Nadu’s development with Dravidian ideology undermines the contributions of past leaders and entrepreneurs who played a vital role in shaping the state’s economy. Furthermore, she criticized the DMK for failing to elect leaders from marginalized communities or women to key party positions despite claiming to uphold social justice.
Vanathi concluded by stating that CM Stalin’s version of Dravidianism represents “one party, one family, one rule,” and that Tamil Nadu’s people will reject the DMK’s double standards at the right time.
