Why Annamalai's Periyar clarification is a strategic pivot to consolidate his movement in Tamil Nadu...

Why Annamalai's Periyar clarification is a strategic pivot to consolidate his movement in Tamil Nadu politics

Viewed as an isolated statement, former Tamil Nadu BJP president and founder of the 'We The Leaders' movement K Annamalai on social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy's appears to be a continuum from his previous years. But, if one carefully notices the subtle difference in his critique of Periyar, one can safely arrive at the implicit political message to establish the ideological identity of 'We The Leaders' movement after his exit from the BJP.

K Annamalai on Sunday said social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy's political history has "several contradictions", appreciating his views on women's liberation and caste eradication while "absolutely" rejecting his atheistic and anti-Brahmin stance.

Annamalai, who founded the 'We The Leaders' movement, said his organisation was moving towards becoming a political movement that would bring together people from different communities and backgrounds.

The former IPS officer, who joined the BJP in 2020, became the party’s Tamil Nadu president in 2021, and built his political visibility by attacking the DMK and AIADMK while exercising utmost caution on Periyar.

Annamalai makes a clear distinction

Speaking at a gathering of volunteers who took part in a Vaigai river cleanup drive in Madurai, Annamalai drew a distinction between Periyar's social reform work and his core ideology.

"When it comes to Periyar's views on women's rights and liberation, I appreciate and accept those views. His stand against the caste system is also something we accept. But there are several contradictions in his political history," Annamalai said. Annamalai also repeated his stand that atheistic inscriptions displayed outside Hindu temples would be relocated if his party comes to power in Tamil Nadu.

When Annamalai's post triggered backlash

On September 17, Periyar's 147th birth anniversary, Annamalai posted on X that the Dravidian leader had played a "pivotal role in social reform movements" and left an "indelible impact" on Tamil Nadu's social and political history.

He also called Periyar as someone who had spent much of his life fighting against "inequalities and superstitions". It was only the second time the IPS officer-turned-politician had publicly marked Periyar's birth anniversary since entering politics, with his first tribute coming in 2020, shortly after he joined the BJP.

The former IPS officer's September 17 post stood out because Annamalai, during his years as Tamil Nadu BJP president, had frequently positioned himself against aspects of Periyarist politics, particularly over the placement of Periyar statues and atheistic messages near Hindu temples.

The clarification, as read by many observers, is well-timed as he seeks to establish the ideological identity of 'We The Leaders' after his exit from the BJP. His remarks on Periyar and the clarification offer a more calibrated position.

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