MGR enabled Brahminism in Dravidian politics: DMK ally party's leader fuels debate

A war of words erupted after Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan made controversial remarks about former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran (MGR).

Speaking at a memorial function for former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Chennai, Thirumavalavan alleged that MGR was responsible for allowing Brahminism to penetrate Dravidian organisations.

He claimed MGR had criticised former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, sowed the seeds of hate politics, and paved the way for a Brahmin woman to become the leader of a Dravidian party. “Apart from all these criticisms, one good thing that happened due to MGR is that national parties were not allowed to stabilise here,” he said.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) hit back strongly, warning that Thirumavalavan had “no standard” to speak about MGR.

“Tamil Nadu people consider MGR as God. If he criticises such a person, he will vanish from politics,” EPS said.

Later, Thirumavalavan issued a clarification, saying his comments were not meant to insult MGR.

“I spoke about MGR in the context of Tamil Nadu politics. I respect both MGR and Jayalalithaa and have openly appreciated her several times. I had no will to insult MGR,” he said, adding that his remarks referred to how “hate politics spun around” Karunanidhi.

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