It is an unusual poster from the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association (TNPWAA), the cultural and literary wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The slogans sound as if they belong to a party preaching strident Tamil nationalism. They are all part of efforts to publicise the Tamilar Urimai Maanadu (Tamil Rights Conference), slated for January 27. The event seeks to mobilise the people of Tamil Nadu against the BJP with the stated objective of preserving and upholding Tamil tradition, culture and history.
“The conference aims to bring pressure to bear on the Centre to continue the archaeological excavation in Keezhadi in Sivaganga district. The findings there support the core arguments in sangam literature. The BJP, which has been preaching unitary culture on the basis of religion, is unable to digest the fact that the findings in Keezhadi have given a new dimension to Dravidian history,” said Su. Venkatesan, general secretary of the TNPWAA and a State committee member of the CPI(M).
‘Not preaching separatism’
When asked about the tone of the slogans on the posters, Mr. Venkatesan, who also has a Sahitya Akademi award under his belt, insisted that his organisation was not speaking the language of the Tamil nationalist groups which refuse to share any common ground with other languages and nationalities.
“We approach Tamil national identity from the Marxist point of view and have never preached separatism. Also, we don’t argue that Tamil culture is superior. On the other hand, we emphasise the importance of the culture, identity and history of various nationalities. This is the only way to stay afloat when the BJP seeks to promote a unitary culture,” he said.
Pointing out that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was carrying out a project in Tamil Nadu after a gap of four decades, Mr. Venkatesan said, “The last time, they were here to study Poompuhar. We just want historians and archaeologists to interpret the findings in a scientific manner because the carbon-dating of the artefacts has confirmed that the area is nearly 2,200 years old.”
CPI(M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said communist parties had always been at the forefront of highlighting the culture, history and traditions of Tamilians and other ethnic groups, which were an integral part of the national identity of the working class.
“It was the undivided communist party that first demanded the creation of States along linguistic lines, and later, CPI(M) leader P. Ramamurthy proposed a resolution in Parliament for renaming the Madras Presidency as Tamil Nadu. Since he was in jail, Bhubesh Gupta moved the resolution and DMK founder C.N. Annadurai supported it,” he recalled.
Mr. Ramakrishnan said the Keezhadi findings assumed significance since none of the unearthed artefacts possessed any religious identity.
“The ancient Tamil society was free from the clutches of caste and religion. That is why the BJP is seeking to suppress the fact and is refusing to continue the excavation,” the CPI(M) leader said.
