MADURAI
A number of poets, directors, and artistes came together on the same platform here on Saturday to seek votes for Su. Venkatesan, the Sahitya Akademi winning writer, who is contesting as part of the Secular Progressive Alliance in Madurai parliamentary constituency.
The function was organised by Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artistes Association (TNPWAA), of which Mr. Venkatesan is presently serving as the president.
Addressing the gathering, Karu. Palaniappan, film director, said that the upcoming parliamentary election was crucial since it had the ability to alter the fate of an entire generation.
Blaming the BJP for attempting to enforce a singular identity in terms of language, religion and all cultural aspects of the Indian society that is pluralistic, he said that the party was ‘anti-Indian.’
“They call all of us anti-Indians. But we are the ones trying to safeguard India and its pluralism. They are the ones trying to destroy it. Hence, they are the real anti-Indians,” he said.
Stressing the need for voting out BJP, the actor said that majority people from the art fraternity backed the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other left parties since these parties always stood with the people.
Highlighting the initiative she was part of to protect waterbodies, actor and film director Rohini appealed to the people of Madurai to vote for Mr. Venkatesan since he will make meaningful contribution to improve water resources.
Poet Nandalala said that though majority of the people wanted to vote against the BJP and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, they should be careful not to vote for contenders like Naam Tamilar Katchi or Makkal Needhi Maiam.
“I am not blaming these other parties. The cure for the problems faced by the people can be provided only by the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu,” he said. All the speakers highlighted how the DMK-led alliance had fielded a number of writers of candidates.
TNPWAA honorary president S. Tamilselvan, poets Yugabharathi, Madukkur Ramalingam, film directors Gopi Nainar, Lenin Bharathi, practitioner of alternative medicine G. Sivaraman, and actor ‘Poo’ Ramu spoke. The programme included performances by artists.
