Claims Justice Party never recognised Adi Tamizhar

A day after disowning his controversial Facebook post advocating the removal of statues of Dravidar Kazhagam founder Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, BJP national secretary H. Raja triggered a fresh row on Thursday claiming that it was Periyar who coined the term Dravidam “to undermine Tamil” and to put an end to linguistic chauvinism.

Talking to media persons at Oddanchatram in Dindigul, he claimed that the Justice Party, in a Government Order of 1926, identified Telugu-speaking Dalits as Adi Telungar and Tamil-speaking Dalits as Adi Dravidar. But the latter were not classified as Adi Tamizhar, he said. Dravidam, he said, was imposed on Tamils and Dravida Nadu comprised people living in States where Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu and Malayalam were spoken.

Mr. Raja said he had already clarified his position on the Periyar statue remarks and there was no need to respond again to individual comments. On arrival in his home town of Karaikudi, Mr. Raja was given a rousing reception amid tight police security. A large number of volunteers welcomed him at the old bus stand with a life-size garland.

30 peole held

An hour earlier, police arrested over 30 volunteers of the DMK, the DK, the VCK and the CPI for attempting to show black flags to him. The police also arrested 23 DMK volunteers when they tried to show black flags at Tiruppattur. Mr. Raja was escorted to his house by the police and additional security has been provided at his residence.

Taking strong objection to Mr. Raja’s remarks, MDMK leader Vaiko alleged that the BJP leader was being backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Mr. Vaiko said Periyar had reformed Tamil language whereas Mr. Raja, by making such statements was testing the sentiments, of the Tamil people. He called upon the BJP leader to apologise and stop making such statements.

“Tamil Nadu is the fort of Periyar and BJP is trying to knock it down. We will protect it and even sacrifice our life for it,” he said at a press conference in Chennai.

Mr. Vaiko slammed Makkal Needhi Maiam leader and actor Kamal Haasan’s statement calling for removal of all statues. “I am in politics for 54 years and Kamal’s stint is just a week old. He should hold his tongue,” he added.

Sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, while talking to journalists in Madurai, said the issue should be put to rest after Mr. Raja had expressed regret.