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1:PROTECT
INDIAN LIVES AND DEMOCRACY IN FIJI
In front of the Mahakavi Bharathiar Memorial Museum a group of volunteers of Dravida Peravai after garlanding the great bard who immortalized the sufferings of Indian labour in the sugarcane fields of Fiji, started a state wide campaign to draw the attention of the Indian Government towards the safety of Indian lives and democracy in Fiji. The General Secretary of Dravida Peravai presided over the campaign initiated on 1 st June 2000 and it was flagged off by the Pondicherry State MDMK [in-charge] S.Muthu Ex M.L.A. The Janata Dal [Secular] State President M.Elango Ex M.L.A and Uru.Gopalakrishnan, General Secretary of Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress felicitated the campaign. The news appeared in Daily Thanthi, Malai Malar.
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INDIA SHOULD SEEK UNITED NATIONS INTERVENTION TO SEND PEACE KEEPING FORCE TO FIJI TO PROTECT INDIAN LIVES, PROPERTY AND TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY
Dravida Peravai wrote a letter to the Union External Affairs
Minister Jaswant Singh on 2.06.2000. The letter states:
Our party yesterday organized a state level campaign in
Pondicherry enclave of the Union territory of Pondicherry to draw the attention
on the urgent need to exert diplomatic and other pressure on the current,
illegal and unconstitutional government coup and coup within coup to secure the
release of the duly elected Prime Minister of Fiji Mr.Mahendra Pal Choudry and
his fellow parliamentarians and to ensure proper protection to the properties
and lives of the people of Indian origin, whom it seems are fleeing to Australia
and New Zealand as they did when the first coups of Col.Rabuka in 1987. Our
party through these public 10 meetings addressed yesterday among others by the
undersigned had demanded India to take up the issue to United Nations, an
institution created at the collective will of the nations of the democratic era,
which cannot remain a silent spectator to the hijacking of democracy by gun
trotting groups. Poet Mahakavi Bharathiar, the only poet who penned a poem on
the plight of Indian women in Fiji in the year 1916-17 had narrated how on
promising jobs British took Indians as contract labour to Fiji and treated them
worse than the animals. They were slaves working in sugarcane gardens, the poet
laments. As a befitting tribute to this poet, our campaign to highlight Fiji
crisis, started from his memorial.
We have to note that certain vested interests here are
trying to twist this as a fight between indigenous communities and Indian
settlers, who have usurped power. According to Mr.S.K.Bhutani, a retired Indian
diplomat the land titles are coming up for review and renewal very soon and the
indigenous Fijians who own the land want to ensure a better deal for themselves.
THE LANDS ARE OWNED BY THE FIJIANS, WHILE THOSE OF INDIAN ORIGIN CULTIVATE THEM.
Vast tracts are under sugarcane and with Indian hands. [The Hindu Report of
1.6.2000 page 14]. This makes the position clear. From the time Bharathi penned
his poem, people of Indian origin by sheer hard work without ownership, yet
remaining as tenants in the lands belonging to Fiji’s indigenous people, have
risen in life economically. As per the Constitution of Fiji article 51, the
House of Representatives have proportionate electoral representation for
Fijians, Indians and Rotumans. English, Fijian and Indians have equal status as
per article 4[1]. So as per a fair constitution Mr.Mahendra Pal Choudry was
chosen by the people to be the Prime Minister. The Indian stand calling for
restoration of this duly elected government is the right step. We should also
use diplomatic pressure to ensure that another, which may disenfranchise people
of Indian origin and upset the equilibrium, should not replace 1997-98 constitutions. We
are not as one or two critics of our party say protecting
Indian interests instead of indigenous peoples. We want Indian origin people to
be equal citizens and not made second-class citizens in the land of their
living.
While Burma refugees came India helplessly have to
bear them. When plantation labour were driven out of Ceylon, our Prime Minister
Lal Bahadur Sastri went out of his way to accept them as stateless people by
signing a pact with Srimavo Bandaranaike. Both morally and politically India
buckled under during Kenyan [1968], Ugandan [1972] and other crisis [including
human rights violations by Americans] to convey the impression that Indian can
be badly treated anywhere by anyone in the world with impunity and without
remorse writes political commentator Rajiv Dhavan [The Hindu 2.06.200]. In our
campaign yesterday much before we could read Dhavan’s article, we took the
same stand. We know that when Ugandan Chief Idi Amin wanted to marry a rich Gujarat
girl, her family had to abandon all properties and run back to India.
In Pondicherry also we have a sugar mill, which was shifted from Uganda, due to
these anti-Indian tirades.
When globe had shrunk into a village, while settlers
from Europe and Africa get amalgamated and are rulers of their destiny in USA,
if people of Indian origin could be made second class citizens and driven back
by a tiny island of Fiji, what is the use in India being a nuclear super power,
if it cannot even verbally threaten Fiji. From May 19 till yesterday, the day
when India dispatched an emissary the delayed response and silence of all with
the exception of Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, is condemnable. Let
Government hereafter be quick to defend people of Indian origin. N..Nandhivarman,
General Secretary Dravida Peravai
[The Ministry of External affairs T.C.A.Raghavan,
Director in the External Minister’s office replied to our Letter to the MEA.
In that letter No.532/EAM/r/00dated 7 th June 2000, it is said, “ This is to
acknowledge receipt of your letter of June 2 to the External Affairs Minister
regarding the current situation in Fiji. We have noted the points raised in your
letter]
OUR
FAILURE TO PROJECT TAMIL CAUSE IN INDIAN POLITICS
Dravida Peravai has a historical role to play as a
catalyst for change. If only DMK and its offshoots had sent good orators with
political acumen to Parliament, as was the practice in the days of Aringnar
Anna, there will be no necessity for our tiny party to exist. The practice to
send remote controlled robots to perform only specific duties and to add only to
the numbers in coalition arithmetic had led to many wrong policies taken by
various ministries which are against the interests of Tamils all over the world.
Here the champions of Ealam cause, if they had confined only to the espousal of
that noble cause, their credibility will be rated high from Indian viewpoint.
But for cheap publicity if they adopt forest brigands as liberators of Tamil
Nadu, the public opinion here swings against them. Time is neither ripe nor the
men who voice separatist demands in Tamil soil have enough numbers to sway
public opinion for a separate state here. Knowing fully the futility of
separatist struggle here Anna had abandoned separatist plank. By raising that
bogey these men with miniscule following are of nuisance value jeopardizing the
legitimate interests of Ealam Tamils. It is not a political murder, but the
shrill voices here and there which enables government agencies and media to
create a ghost of LTTE type liberation struggle being imported here. By such
false propaganda the correct line India was adopting in the time of Indira
Gandhi stands blocked. Our shadow warriors are to be blamed for not projecting
Tamil viewpoint in Indian politics.
2:INTERLINKING INDIAN RIVERS
Mr.Vaiko the General Secretary of Marumalarchi DMK undertook a “Nadai Payanam” to awaken Tamil public opinion on various national issues like interlinking of rivers and espousing Tamil cause. I went to receive him at the Pondicherry’s border in Cuddalore Road, a place called Mullodai. It was my desire to walk with him through the entire stretch of his walk within Pondicherry. He welcomed me with all the warmth and told me “ whoever seeks information on interlinking of rivers your article in Internet alone remains the source. Could you give me the entire file relating to your case in Supreme Court with regard to interlink of rivers?” I promised to bring during lunch break. As I walked with him, local party leaders of his party were feeling uncomfortable and they started playing mischief like pushing me to sideways. I could understand their eagerness to be caught in cameras along with their leader and took their childish approach in lighter vein.
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During lunch break I went back to him with the file at met
him in the place he was resting at Thavalakuppam. The Chief Minister of
Pondicherry had come there to greet Mr.Vaiko, and along with him came a
contingent of press photographers. Dinamani photographer A.S.Ganesh caught me
and Mr.Vaiko discussing the river interlink issue, and that photo is in this website.. After I met Mr.Vaiko retired for rest. It was around 3 in afternoon. Later
he resumed his walk from 5 it seems and when he came all the way and addressed
the public meeting, I did not go since I do not want local party leaders of his
party getting upset over our closeness. Next day morning all the media men told
that Vaiko began his speech praising me and for few minutes he dealt about my
writings, work and political initiatives. I was immensely pleased and sought the
video or CD copy of that speech to hear what exactly he spoke. All top
functionaries who were junior to me in DMK and political lightweights did not
want to give me the satisfaction to hear what he actually spoke about me.
The river interlinking issue, I had repeatedly urged the
Convener of National Democratic Alliance Comrade George Fernandes to incorporate
in the National agenda for Governance, which was accomplished. So in the
aftermath of Tehelka mudslinging, Comrade George Fernandes stepped down from
office. He did not have a car to go to Parliament. He owned one Fiat presented
years ago by the taxi men union of Mumbai, but that was in bad condition. So he
asked me “ Comrade are you free?” and when I said in the affirmative started
walking to Parliament with me and a lone security man following us. While we
were walking I told George Fernandes why cannot river interlink be taken up to
divert people’s attention from Tehelha. George Fernandes sarcastically
commented, “People in office have personal agendas and no one has a national
agenda”. Then after informing him I made trips to Union Water Resources
Ministry to find out the position of the river interlink issue. In top people
had no clear idea but at the lowest rungs of administration some information was
available. Not satisfied with the speed of the government, I filed Public
Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court of India. A learned bench did not admit
my petition.
The details of the case are in my article, which appeared in an e-magazine is in following link:
After this failure to activate the Union Government, I
wrote an article in Tamil in New Times observer of Pondicherry, which is read by
the President of India. President of India during his Republic Day speech gave a
thrust to river interlinking. Close on heels to that speech another lawyer from
New Delhi filed Public Interest Litigation before the same bench, which admitted
the petition this time. There ends the matter.
Senior journalists like R.Bhagwan Singh of Deccan Chronicle
will now and then will ask me about river interlinking and I used to say “ If
more East India Companies land in India and take possession of all fertile and
waste lands thereby converting our land owners and tillers to mere coolies, then
within no time rivers will be interlinked> Till our land owners become
contract farmers or coolies, no World Bank support or political support will be
forthcoming for river interlinking project.”
That is India! That is how Indian Government functions! Left or Right they will only pay lip service to such national project.
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Daily Thanthi, the
leading Tamil daily published a news about the National Executive meeting of
Samata party to be held at Vijayawada on 15/16 th of June 2002 under the title “In
Elangai Peace talks India should cooperate and strive together with Norway:
Pondicherry Dravida Peravai urges” Pondicherry Dravida Peravai
General Secretary Nandhivarman had told that India should work together with
Norway in Srilankan peace talks.
Last time the National Executive
of Samata party was held at Mysore on 8 th January 2001.After that a long
interregnum was there. Meeting was postponed. Now on June 15 th and 16 th in the
Lohia Nagar at Vijayawada, Siddhartha Hall the National Executive and National
Council are meeting. In the high command of Samata Party’s National Executive
three political parties were getting special invites from 1997. The Nagaland
People’s party leader and former Chief Minister Mr.Vamuzo is no more. The
Mizoram People’s Conference Leader and former Chief Minister Brigadier T.S.Sailo
M.L.A could not attend due to ill health. Pondicherry Dravida Peravai alone
continues to participate in the National Executive meetings and raising various
issues of national importance. Before leaving for Vijayawada Dravida Peravai
General Secretary Nandhivarman met the press people and told as follows:
It is not correct on the part of India to keep aloof from the peace talks and India must cooperate with Norway in the Srilankan peace talks. In between 1871 and 1881 when lot of coffee and tea estates mushroomed in Srilanka to work there lot of Tamils went from here. They constituted 10 percent of the Srilankan population. Donoughmore Commission constituted before independence told in 1928 that among the plantation labour 50 percent were permanently residing there. The Jackson Report of 1928 gave the figure at 60 percent. The Soul bury Commission constituted in 1946 told that 80 percent of plantation labour are permanently living in Srilanka.
Disenfranchisement
Donoughmore Commission recommended in 1928 that citizenship should be given to those who live there more than 5 years. Ceylonese Government did not accept the recommendation. A problem came to the fore. In 1940 both India and Ceylon deliberated this issue. In 1941 once again a bi-partite conference between India and Ceylon took place. The agreed agreement signed by both countries in the conference was not implemented by Ceylon. But in 1942 for the sake of economic development, the Government of Ceylon requested India to permit plantation labour to come to their country.1947, in the first general election all plantation labour had voting rights. They supported the Ceylon Indian Congress and elected 7 members to Parliament. The plantation labour remained deciding factor in the victory of 20 Member of Parliament constituencies.
So the first Prime
Minister T.S.Senanayaka brought an amendment to article 8 in 1948 and snatched
the voting rights of plantation Tamils. Parliamentary Elections amendment Act
1949 was enacted; all Indian born Ceylonese citizens were removed from electoral
rolls. This is how the voting rights of plantation labour who could send 7
members of parliament were disenfranchised. Then Indian born Ceylonese were told
to apply for citizenship. Nearly 8,25,000 people applied for citizenship but
only 1,00,000 persons were conferred with citizenship.
Pacts
To resolve this issue in
1953 Ceylonese Prime Minister Dudley Senanayaka and Indian Prime Minister Nehru
had talks in London but in vain. In 1954 Ceylonese Prime Minister Sit John
Kotewala and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru signed a pact, but it was
not implemented. In 1964 between Indian Prime Minister Lalbahadur Sastri and
Ceylon Prime Minister Mrs.Bandaranaike signed a pact. Ceylon agreed to grant
citizenship and India agreed to take back 5,25,000 persons.
Dravidian
Parties have forgotten
Present day Americans were
settlers from Europe. No European country foolishly signed a pact to take back
these settlers. After signing such a pact India still has left 2,00,000 people
in Ceylon. India is looking into the Srilankan problem as a problem between
Ealam Tamils, the natives of that soil and forgets the plight of its own
citizens in alien soil. Dravidian parties too have forgotten the plantation
labours who are our own sons of soil. To resolve the issue of plantation labour
affected by the pact between two countries and to press for India’s
participation in the peace talks we will deliberate at Vijayawada National
executive, Nandhivarman told
[Translation of news in Daily Thanthi 15.06.2002 page 6 Pondicherry Edition]
Love Tamizh Tamils Everyone
Dravida Peravai Policy
Dravida Peravai over years discussed in public what should be India's
foreign policy towards Ealam Tamils. We brought out a white paper which was
loaded in a website : www.dravidam.tamilzone.com
, that is no more accessible now. Fortunately in other sources our views could
be found, and with gratitude we provide the link: http://www.tamilcanadian.com/pageview.php?ID=149&SID=40
We have within the parameters permissible in Indian Constitution had raised the issue of Ealam Tamils right from 1978. Not even once we faltered in our footsteps. Nor did we waver in our approach. To my memory the first public expression of mine on Ealam is likely to be the article written in "Nam Naadu" Official party organ of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam edited by Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi on 5 th February 1978.[ From archives if we search we may even get a proof of earlier date.]
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There was a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Ceylon
and its General Secretary A.S.Manavai Thambi was exiled and lived in Tamil Nadu.
There was a time wherever Tamils went, whichever land they choose to live, a separate
political party titled Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will come up in that soil,
which will only have emotional and not political ties with Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam of India. We come from that ideological background, hence on all occasions
we have raised voice of support for Ealam Tamils. The article" Ezha
Thamizharum Kozhai Thamizharum" praises the brave Tamils of Ealam and
condemns the cowards of Tamil Nadu. This was a time I was in Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam. During emergency in India, a handful wrote in the official organs of
DMK, of course Dr.Kalaignar fought emergency with his valiant pen. Among the
handful, I am one.
A SEPARATE
TAMIL STATE ONLY SOLUTION TO LANKAN PROBLEM: SUNDAY PIONEER
Varanasi:9 July 2000: The General Secretary of Dravida Peravai party N.Nandhivarman
said that a separate state for the Tamils was the only solution
for the prevailing Srilankan problem.
Talking to reporters at Paradkar bhavan here on Friday, the party
supremo said that the party did not support the path adopted by LTTE in Srilanka
as it was not in the interests of Tamils. However he said that the party
supported the demands of the Tamils in Srilanka and felt that separate Tamil
Ealam was the only solution to the Srilankan problem.
N.Nandhivarman, who formed the party after his divorce from DMK, said
that his party did not support the LTTE because the latter could not come to
power even if the demands of the Tamils in Srilanka were accepted. He said it
would be a democratic forum which would come to power in such a situation.
Though Dravida Peravai is an ally of Samata party, Mr.Nandhivarman
and other leaders of the party came here to attend the proposed national
convention of Samata party here on Saturday.
Expressing serious concerns over the condition of Tamils in Srilanka, Mr.Nandhivarman
said that the voice of Tamil members of Parliament in Srilanka
was always crushed and the Srilankan government never paid any serious attention
to the problems of the Tamils.
Launching a scathing attack on the foreign policy of the Indian
Government, Mr.Nandhivarman said that its foreign policy was weak and unclear,
especially in the case of Srilanka. He said that the party would present its
paper on the Tamils issue of Srilanka at the proposed National convention of
Samata party and urge the latter to press the government in this connection.
However, he said that the Indian government should not meddle in the
internal matters of Srilanka.
In reply to a query Mr.Nandhivarman said Norway might play a vital role
as a mediator. He also demanded that the Indian jurisdiction in the sea areas,
especially Kacchativu islands, should be redefined.
He said due to some confusion many Indian fishermen became victims of
Srilankan attacks. He said that in this direction his party had given a "Sethu
samudram Yojana' which was also included in the election manifesto of the
National Democratic Alliance.
The party supremo further said it was shocking that though the matter
was in the poll manifesto of NDA, the BJP led NDA government did not do anything
to implement the plan.
In a reply to another query, he said that his party fully supported the
continuation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Taking a safe stand that there
should be an open debate on it and nothing should be done behind the curtain
[courtesy: Sunday Pioneer, the Sunday paper of THE PIONEER, Lucknow
edition in its 136 th year of publication]
During the press meeting at Varanasi press club,
repeatedly I was asked do you support LTTE ? My answer was I support Tamil Ealam.
They went on asking would not supporting Tamil Ealam be indirectly supporting
LTTE ?. I said no. Press pressed for explanations. I told Nethaji's Indian
National Army fought for Indian independence, did they come to power in India?
During World War II, whole Britons supported Winston Churchill and once War was
over, they did not need Churchill. Similarly now it is War and LTTE is fighting
a War, after independence people may choose a democratic alternative. Hence
supporting EALAM will in no way be construed as supporting LTTE.
Not satisfied press tried to extract from my mouth
that I support LTTE. I jokingly said our policy is LTTE, to Love Thamizh Tamils
and Everyone. That joke is the source to today's web paragraph title.
RECOGNIZE GROUND
REALITIES IN SRILANKA: THE HINDUSTAN TIMES
[Varanasi , July 7-2000-HT
Correspondent]
Dravida Peravai, the south Indian political party born after the split in the DMK, urged the Union Government to
frame the right policy that will not alienate Indian Tamils from the National
mainstream and to recognize the ground realities in srilanka by accepting the
Tamils legitimate aspiration for freedom.
" Tamil Ealam's struggle has
entered the final and crucial phase. Let India rise up to the occasion" Mr.N.Nandhivarman, the general secretary of Pondicherry based party, said.
An associate party of Samata party,
Dravida Peravai,an ardent supporter of Tamil Ealam, urged the Prime Minister for
a proper evaluation of the past to arrive at the right policy towards Tamils
freedom struggle. It brought out a white paper on the ethnic conflict in
Srilanka in May, detailing the ethnic cleansing by Sinhalese since 1983 and the
plight of Tamils in the island.
Talking to media persons here
today, Mr.Nandhivarman said India did not have a clear policy for Srilanka."
We do support the Tamils in the island and do believe that separate state for
Tamils could be the best solution to the ethnic conflict there", he said.
He said "Altogether 23 major
initiatives, to bring forth peace in Srilanka since 1957 till today, have failed
to yield any result. "
"Yet Indian bureaucracy is
trying to mislead the Government stating that a political solution is possible.
I wonder what new proposal India has which forms part of any of the 23
initiatives ?' he added.
" India that cannot resolve
the Kashmir issue for that matter the question of sub-nationalism within its
territory is now gearing itself to commit another faux pas in its foreign
policy. Dravida Peravai urges the Union Government to be clear in its goals,
sure of its approach and have a clear cut solution in mind before taking the
plunge" Mr.Nandhivarman said
[courtesy: The Hindustan Times July
7,2000]
[IN NORTH ALMOST
ALL HINDI DAILIES TELEVISIONS AND URDU PRESS PUBLISHED THE SAME CONTENT AND MADE
US REACH THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE OF HINDI HEARTLAND]
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"The Cayman Islands are an overseas
territory of the United
Kingdom in the western Caribbean
Sea comprising the islands of Grand
Cayman, Cayman
Brac, and Little
Cayman. It is known as one of the largest tax
havens in the world." Wikipedia describes Cayman islands in the above
manner. DMK Government led by Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi must keep an eye on
this island because of its JJ connections.
Dravida Peravai directly met the Chief Vigilance
Commissioner Mr.N.Vittal I.A.S at New Delhi in the Office of the Central
Vigilance Commission. On 26.08.1999 Dravida Peravai sought a probe into the
undisclosed/hidden assets of J.Jayalalitha and confiscation of movable/immovable
assets created by their lucrative practice in graftology. The complaint gave all
evidences to show that J.Jayalalitha's portfolio managers are Shaw Murphy
Private Limited situated at the town of Roseau in Cayman islands.Mr.M.Natarajan had gone to the island with a letter from his chief sponsor. The evidence
provided is a letter dated 15 th November 1995 which clearly said that Mr.M.Natarajan
will be coming with a letter of his chief sponsor.
M.Natarajan in his introductory note says he is M.N.Rajaan
and his activities as Government liasoning/formerly government service/presently
NGO/Society service and political manager.M.N.Rajaan, the principal introducer
had recommended Ms.S.Kala,Mr.V.D.Karan,Ms.S.D.Devy. Mr.M.Natarajan had visited
and stayed in Cayman islands for 3 days enroute to Florida-Australia-India. This
could be easily verified by cross checking passport entries.
The portfolio managers while telling about their
services state that they have served valuable clients from southern India
through our investment services to 11 countries over last 25 months. There are
more than 20 clients from South India.
Among the papers we gave to CBI there are papers
in which it seems some legal tussle with FBI resulting in Rs 37 crores connected
allegedly to M.Natarajan being held up.
CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION FORWARDS TO
CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS
Central Vigilance Commission found some substance
in our complaint and forwarded to Central Bureau of Investigations Chennai. One
Superintendent of Police Kathiresan telephonically informed me whenever I come
to Chennai to meet him at CBI headquarters to give further evidence if any, with
regards to this case.
He said " You have to prove that 1000 crores
or so were taken from Chennai to Caymans island, then only we have jurisdiction
to probe this case. Otherwise enforcement directorate will handle this
case" I told I am neither a state agency nor a private detective, but only
a political party. If I had been In Parliament I would have placed all evidences
in open house and debated face to face with JJ's party. I only hope CBI will take
the case to its logical conclusion" But nothing came out. CBI had put this
in cold storage.
The 40 members of Parliament and Union Ministers
must realize that the money power at play by corrupt forces must be contained
and these dark forces driven out of politics.
JAYALALITHA
PLANS TO TAKE REVENGE ON ME
One day when I came back home from my morning walk
in the beach, I was told Tamil Nadu Police came in search of me. I had no
complaints against me in any of the police stations of the country. I suspected
some foul play, may be ganja case or kidnapping me to Tamil Nadu territory to
foist false case. I rushed to my friend The Superintendent of Police-Pondicherry
North Mr.Shanmugasundaram and asked him, why Tamil Nadu police wants me. We
ourselves are in dark, and it is better till air is cleared, you go underground.
From that time for few days my underground days started.
I went straight to Journalists Colony at Kotivakkam, particularly to my friend and Chief of the Bureau of Deccan
Chronicle and Asian Age, Mr.R.Bhagwan Singh. From there I spoke to Comrade
George Fernandes and as advised sent him a telegram narrating my situation.
GEORGE
FERNANDES SEEKS PROTECTION FOR ME
In an official letter DM/No.6065/RM/2001 dated 9
th November 2001, Comrade George Fernandes wrote as follows:
Dear Dr.Rajini Rai
Please find enclosed copy of a telegram that I received from Shri Nandhivarman
apprehending his arrest by the Tamil Nadu policemen as a part of larger
conspiracy. I shall be grateful if you could kindly ensure the safety of Shri.Nandhivarman
and protection to his life. With warm regards, Yours
sincerely, George Fernandes.
LT.GOVERNOR PROVIDES PROTECTION
Dr.Rajini Rai, Lt.Governor of Pondicherry in her
letter D.O.F.No170-LG/2001 dated November 30, 2001 replied:
Dear Shri George Fernandesji
Please refer to my letter dated November 20, 2001 regarding the telegram sent by
Thiru.Nandhivarman apprehending his arrest by the Tamil Nadu police.
In this connection I have asked the Inspector
General of Police Pondicherry to enquire into the matter. The Inspector General
of Police had the matter enquired into and a report was submitted to me.
As per the report, Thiru.Nandhivarman is
apprehensive that Tamil Nadu Police may foist a false case against him in order
to take revenge on him as he had filed some complaints against the AIADMK leader
Jayalalitha. As per his version, during his absence three persons posing
themselves as Tamil Nadu police men had come to his residence and had enquired
about him.
During the enquiry, Pondicherry Police were
informed by the police establishments of the neighbouring districts of Tamil
Nadu, that no case has been registered against Mr.Nandhivarman. Further the
Tamil Nadu police had not sought any assistance from the local police in this
connection.
However Special Branch of the Pondicherry Police
is maintaining keen surveillance at the residence of Mr.Nandhivarman to watch
the visits of strangers under the guise of Tamil Nadu police. Police beats have
also been reworked to cover his residence. Mr.Nandhivarman has refused personal
police security at his residence. This is for your kind information.
With Regards, Yours sincerely Rajani Rai.
Thamizhar Dravidar Kazhagam in a press statement
thanked Pondicherry Police for the actions taken.
I was not afraid of being arrested, but if they
kidnap me to Tamil Nadu area and foist ganja case on me, I was worried about my
moral standing getting a beating in public eye. The then Special Branch
Superintendent of Police Mr.Chandiran, then Inspector and now Superintendent of
Police Pondicherry North Mr.Ramesh Kandan deserve thanks for the protection they
gave. Of course from Comrade George to Dr.Rajini Rai, my thanks are due. They
helped Dravida Peravai defeat Jayalalitha's act of vengeance. N.Nandhivarman
KALAIGNAR
AND DRAVIDA PERAVAI
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Ever my Leader but never he gave
my due
After I was
suspended by Mr.M.G.Ramachandran "for attending to my personal work",
the very first suspension of the Anna DMK came in for media criticism. "Navasakthi",
the Tamil daily of the Congress[O] led by Thiru.K.Kamaraj condemned my
suspension from the Pondicherry State Anna DMK Convenorship in its editorial.
The Statesman wrote a center page article. I will deal them in another occasion.
After my suspension from Anna DMK on the advice of Thiru.Murasoli Maran, I met Dr.Kalaignar
in his gopalapuram residence. It was decided that myself and my
followers should return to DMK. I sought one month's time. When we rejoined DMK,
the official organ of DMK, Murasoli Tamil daily said: Pondy ADMK merges with DMK.
After throwing me out, Mr.M.G.Ramachandran could not nominate a State Convener
for one year. Immediately he sent a Cinema Director Gopala krishnan as Convener
on deputation from Chennai. For another six months Anagaputhur Ramalingam was
sent from Tamil Nadu on deputation to lead the party in Pondicherry. I returned
to DMK much before Dindigul by election. Since I walked out of MGR and never
went back to him, in spite of his repenting my suspension and extending
invitation, Dr.Kalaignar has unique regard for me.
Pondicherry
Assembly polls 1974 came. Mr.M.O.H.Farook Maricar was the State Convener of DMK.
I was made Propaganda Secretary for that polls.Panruti S.Ramachandran, a
Minister under Kalaignar's cabinet was sent by high command to coordinate
election work. In the selection of candidates I had a big say. Mr.D.Ramachandran
who defected from DMK just 2 months before polls had to face my nominee K.Rajaram. In
Tirumalairayanpattinam constituency V.M.C.Shivashanmuganathan, my
class mate was chosen to contest. During election campaign Dr.Kalaignar came to
a dinner hosted by me. The picture taken with my cousin sisters was after the
dinner past midnight, when he came from Lawspet public meeting. In that election
I was told by Mr.M.O.H.Farook to file nomination for Parliament seat. I filed.
Meanwhile PTR.Palanivelrajan who was practicing politics from Cosmopolitan club
in Chennai came with a new proposal to Kalaignar. The Reddiars association had
at that time decided not to contest against their own caste men. Madurapakkam
Lakshminarayanan, Congress M.P from Tindivanam through PTR Palanivelrajan offered to sponsor his relative Kodathur Rajaram for Pondicherry Parliament
seat. It was told that pitted against Congress Reddiar, a DMK Reddiar candidate
will break the caste unity of Reddiars association. Dr.Kalaignar summoned me to
Legislative Party office of the DMK in Government estate of Chennai.
Yenya, nee entha
vaguppu ? is the question that came from Kalaignar.In DMK one never ask the
other partymens caste, right from Anna's days we were all moving as one family
and no one knew the caste of the other. This question I described as "en
nenjil thaitha nerunji mull" in later days in one journal. But I have to
answer, but answer without directly mentioning caste. " Naan sathi enral
ennevendre teri yadavan" , this was my reply. He understood. He held my
hand and told, you withdraw from contest, I will give you Rajyasabha seat.
Navalar Nedunchezhian, Professor K.Anbazhagan, Minister P.U.Shanmugam,Minister Panruti
S.Ramachandran, Propaganda Secretary S.Kandappan M.P, Pondicherry
Chief Minister M.O.H.Farook Maricar,Professor M.Elango, Kavignar Karunanandam,
Devaraj and Shanmugam, party office staff, and many others were present when
Kalaignar made this promise.
DMK lost 1974 polls. Only
2 won. M.O.H.Farook and my friend Soundararangan. My another friend S.Ramasamy
who went to the Anna DMK before polls formed the ministry which was toppled in
21 days. Soon after the electoral defeat I met the press.
PONDY DMK
UNIT PLANNING NEW MORAL CAMPAIGN
Pondicherry April
12:1974 : Mr.N.Nandhivarman Propaganda Secretary of the DMK here told newsmen
yesterday that unless the intelligentia started moulding public opinion so as to
cleanse the present eroded political and electoral systems there was no way out
of the moral crisis that is facing the nation.
He said most
political leaders have lost the moral fibre to undertake this task. The
nefarious practice of personal aggrandizement among politicians has resulted in
the people losing faith in political units. Mr.Nandhivarman felt that people had
to be made politically conscious and political leaders need be moralized.
He said DMK would
embark upon such a campaign for the first time in Pondicherry and hoped before
long Pondicherry would become a model state to others in this respect.
Referring to
electoral reforms, Mr.Nandhivarman said common platforms had to be provided by
the Election Commission for all contesting candidates. He wanted personal
attacks on platforms to be put to an end and instead criticism leveled against
only political principles or policies.
He was optimistic
that DMK would be a moral force in Pondicherry irrespective of its poll
achievements. [Courtesy : THE MAIL, evening daily from Chennai]
On defeat
that is what I told. 1974 promises were never kept and I have no regrets.
History will evaluate me.
N.Nandhivarman
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The picture above taken at Socialist Conference held at Tuticurin reminds me of his greatness. I went as observer to the conference.
George Fernandes called me to stage and asked me to translate his speech. In that speech he announced the launch of Sethu Samudram project, a dream of 138 years
unrealized till that date. At the concluding time, he started introducing me to the audience saying my friend Comrade Nandhivarman who translated my speech is running a progressive political party in Pondicherry and showered praise for 5 minutes. I stopped translating his speech and told since it is praises on me I find it difficult to translate. His replies to all my letters will be published in the proposed book which is being planned to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of Dravida Peravai since 30.10.1996. All our work during this decade will be recorded in two books titled " Arikaigal Aiyiram Arasiyal Payiram" and "Puthuvai Varalatrin Pugazh Mighu suvadugal".
Now looking down the memory lane, I wrote a letter to George Fernandes on 27 th September 1984. For which George Fernandes replied on 19 th October 1984. The reason to reproduce few lines from that letter is to record the regard George Fernandes had and has for DMK President Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi. in that letter George Fernandes states " I can never forget the help and support given to me by Mr.Karunanithi during the dark days of Emergency. Our friendship had survived all the vicissitudes of
political turns and twists".
In 25th January 1985 he was admitted in a hospital in Bombay. From there he replied to my letter. " Dear Nandhivarman... Thank you for your beautiful letter. With men like you around, we shall win our struggle, no matter what price we have to pay.
India sent IPKF to Srilanka. I wrote a letter condemning Rajiv Gandhi. In that letter I wrote " The curse of our race will see the dawn of your doom". A copy of the letter sent to Rajiv Gandhi was sent to George Fernandes. He replied "It is a shame for India that Mr.Gandhi should have chosen to do the dirty job for the President of Srilanka. That he is doing this at the behest of America makes it all the more dirty." This is George Fernandes comment on IPKF episode.
Dravida Peravai was publishing a news letter titled Green Politics. George Fernandes reproduced one interview which came in our news letter in THE OTHERSIDE [1.10.1997] issue. The Other Side was edited by George Fernandes. He wrote an introductory note for the interview titled 'AUROBINDO ASHRAM TAKE OVER BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEMANDED....... Dravida Peravai General Secretary N.Nandhivarman speaks"
He wrote " There has been a persistent demand for the takeover of the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry by various individuals and institutions. In the forefront of this campaign is the general secretary of the Dravida Peravai N.Nandhivarman. Nandhivarman has over years been exposing for public view the unsavoury goings in the Ashram, which have brought this once hallowed place into disrepute. We are publishing hereby a question-answer report which is an interview with Nandhivarman. We hope the authorities will take note of this report and take action in the matter before it is too late to stem the rot."
On 1998 25 th September Union Defence Minister George Fernandes wrote an official letter to Home Minister L.K.Advani seeking protection for me when I was heading a 15 party struggle committee against land house grabbing in Pondicherry. He could have just sought protection. But his affection for me comes to the fore when he uses extra lines to introduce me. " I have known
Mr.Nandhivarman as an indefatigable fighter against corruption in all its manifestations. He
has been engaged in a long standing campaign against corruption at various levels of administration in Pondicherry" so goes on his letter.
In Union Territory of Pondicherry three nominated MLA's could be nominated. Usually
men of letters and scholars alone could be nominated. But in practice party men were filling these posts. Opposing this I wrote to Attorney General, President of India, Prime Minister etc. I suggested Former Chennai High Court Justice David
Annousamy,Tamil scholar Dr.Era.Thirumurugan and Vasudevaraju I.A.S [retd]. Forwarding my letter to Union Home Minister L.K.advani, Comrade George saab wrote " Mr.Nandhivarman is the General Secretary of the Dravida Peravai and in the many years I have known him, he has been a selfless public worker taking up public issues, apart from fighting corruption in Pondicherry. The names he had suggested in his letter to Attorney General provide proof of his public concerns"
Well all these are recorded here not for self boast. I do not belong to his party. Lifelong
I am a DMK follower. Even DP though a splinter of DMK is run as true DMK. I had fought emergency with my pen. But all these years not even once my leader
Dr.Kalaignar acknowledged me or gave me my due recognition. If Aringnar Anna would have been alive my position within DMK would have been different. By monetary yardstick a man will not be evaluated by Anna. In George Fernandes I saw the nobility of Aringnar Anna. Nearly four decades we had been friends. I never joined his party. But for his Samata Party, I was a special invitee to its National Executive. Could you imagine this in Indian politics. Another party invited to National Executive. George Fernandes in public and private acknowledged me. I am ever grateful to
him. In my life George Fernandes has a unique position equal to that of Aringnar Anna.
N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai
Pondicherry 605001 India
email:nnandhivarman@yahoo.com
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