Jallikattu is far too cultural an issue to figure prominently in the political agenda of a Communist party. But the CPI (M) sought to break the perception in Tamil Nadu by actively involving itself in the struggle for jallikattu. The party’s State secretary G. Ramakrishnan , in a conversation with B. Kolappan , justified his party’s stand, saying the question of nationality inevitably included cultural identities and jallikattu was one of the identities of Tamils. Excerpts:
There is a perception that Communist parties always focus on class wars and cultural issues do not get priority. But your party supported the recent jallikattu protests. Your comment.
It is not true. When you define the question of nationality, it inevitably includes its cultural identities and jallikattu is one of the cultural identities of Tamils. Communists were vociferous in their demand for the creation of linguistic States, and in Tamil Nadu, leaders like Jeevanandam were at the forefront of the struggle. In Kerala, E.M.S. Namboothiripad openly articulated the idea. In fact, Sangaralinganar, who began a fast unto death in support of the demand for naming Madras Presidency as Tamil Nadu, made it clear that his body should be handed over to the Communists.
The incident bore testimony to the commitment of Communists to the Tamil cause. It was late CPI (M) leader P. Ramamurthy who supported in Parliament the demand for naming the State as Tamil Nadu. Since he was in prison, it was left to Bhupesh Gupta to move the resolution. DMK founder C.N. Annadurai supported the resolution. Since the Congress government did not favour the idea, it became a reality only in 1967.
Won’t issues like jallikattu diminish the importance of class war?
Not at all. Our party has been fighting and organising protests against untouchability. It is part of the struggle of the Communists to create a society in which everyone lives with dignity and equal opportunity. In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the Communists vehemently fought against untouchability when they sought to break the back of feudalism in East Thanjavur. Struggle for progressive causes and preservation of tradition are part and parcel of the class struggle.
One of the arguments of the anti-jallikattu protesters is that it represents machoism and a sport of a particular community which excludes Dalits and other communities...
It is a wrong assumption. Pongal is a secular festival, and people, irrespective of their caste and religion, celebrate it. And, jallikattu is organised as part of the celebrations. If there is discrimination in the name of caste and other sectarian considerations, they should be eliminated. Banning the sport is not an option. Democratisation is the right way and not a ban.
When the country and the State faced pressing issues like demonetisation, NEET, farmers’ suicides and inter-state water disputes, there was not much of a public outcry. But jallikattu seems to have overshadowed all these issues. Do you think it is a misplaced priority?
The protests emerged spontaneously. I won’t say jallikattu was the only issue that triggered them. What manifested in the protest was a pent-up anger against the BJP and the AIADMK governments in the Centre and the State respectively, over a slew of issues including the failure of the Centre to ensure implementation of the order of the Cauvery Water Tribunal, the State government’s indifference to farmers’ suicides and unemployment.
