OP
OP
The covert anti-Brahmin policies carried out by successive Congress governments had
infuriated the then younger generation. But the older generation was mostly with the
INC. But when Swatantra party was floated many of them became its sympathizers. In
1967 when the seniormost Brahmin leader wanted the Brahmins to support DMK, they went
for it. DMK won the elections in 1967 with the support of a large number of Brahmins.
I am not going to write about what happened after 1967 since it is recent history.
The present day Tamil Brahmins especially the younger generation has to understand
some basic facts.
1. It is an absolute fallacy to say that the Brahmins dominated the society. They
never did especially in Tamil Nadu. Yes, they did have almost a near monopoly of the
top positions in the Government. But the real power was always with the British and
then the elected governments. We tend to be taken in by the propaganda of the
political parties. This is a pity. The demagogues in different parties try to portray
that the Tamil Brahmins dominated society for a long time. Instead of countering the
propaganda, we also start believing in this canard.
Most of the prominent castes in Tamil Nadu have dominated the regions where they were
in a majority. Many of them can also trace some rulers from their caste. But Brahmins
being a very small minority could never do it. I come from a family which has owned
land for generations. In my village there were about half a dozen big Brahmin
landlords who owned a large percentage of land in the district. But the dominent
community was someone else who had the numerical majority. We leased the land to them
and they got it cultivated.
2. Political parties are rarely if ever really interested in community development.
Only now the caste based parties at least show some interest in the development of
the community as it affects their vote bank. But political leaders need votes from
all communities especially those who are in a majority in their constituencies. So
they can not be seen as a representative of a small community. The Brahmin Ministers
in the state and centre have brought about some improvements in the Brahmin
community. But this is more by way of political patronage.
3. In a democracy where it is number of votes that count, a small community like
Tamil Barhmins can never play a very important role. Political power is just out of
reach for the community. It is wrong to view BJP as a Brahmin party. You may be
surprised to know that BJP was called a Bania Party in Delhi long time back. Neither
of the statements is true. It is a national party which consists of members of all
communities and needs the support of all communities for coming to power. In fact one
of the reasons for BJP not doing well in Tamil Nadu is the projection by others that
it is a Brahmin party.
4. Political power is not a prerequisite for the welfare of the community. Nor is it
panacea for all ills. A community can do very well without political power.
5. Since we are interested in the welfare of the community, we will have to think of
how the community can benefit by the efforts of individual members. Also how we can
live amicably with the members of all other communities.
Since Religion plays an important role in the life of the Tamil Brahmins, we will
digress in my next post about the religious developments in Tamil Nadu and how it
affected/affects the community.
infuriated the then younger generation. But the older generation was mostly with the
INC. But when Swatantra party was floated many of them became its sympathizers. In
1967 when the seniormost Brahmin leader wanted the Brahmins to support DMK, they went
for it. DMK won the elections in 1967 with the support of a large number of Brahmins.
I am not going to write about what happened after 1967 since it is recent history.
The present day Tamil Brahmins especially the younger generation has to understand
some basic facts.
1. It is an absolute fallacy to say that the Brahmins dominated the society. They
never did especially in Tamil Nadu. Yes, they did have almost a near monopoly of the
top positions in the Government. But the real power was always with the British and
then the elected governments. We tend to be taken in by the propaganda of the
political parties. This is a pity. The demagogues in different parties try to portray
that the Tamil Brahmins dominated society for a long time. Instead of countering the
propaganda, we also start believing in this canard.
Most of the prominent castes in Tamil Nadu have dominated the regions where they were
in a majority. Many of them can also trace some rulers from their caste. But Brahmins
being a very small minority could never do it. I come from a family which has owned
land for generations. In my village there were about half a dozen big Brahmin
landlords who owned a large percentage of land in the district. But the dominent
community was someone else who had the numerical majority. We leased the land to them
and they got it cultivated.
2. Political parties are rarely if ever really interested in community development.
Only now the caste based parties at least show some interest in the development of
the community as it affects their vote bank. But political leaders need votes from
all communities especially those who are in a majority in their constituencies. So
they can not be seen as a representative of a small community. The Brahmin Ministers
in the state and centre have brought about some improvements in the Brahmin
community. But this is more by way of political patronage.
3. In a democracy where it is number of votes that count, a small community like
Tamil Barhmins can never play a very important role. Political power is just out of
reach for the community. It is wrong to view BJP as a Brahmin party. You may be
surprised to know that BJP was called a Bania Party in Delhi long time back. Neither
of the statements is true. It is a national party which consists of members of all
communities and needs the support of all communities for coming to power. In fact one
of the reasons for BJP not doing well in Tamil Nadu is the projection by others that
it is a Brahmin party.
4. Political power is not a prerequisite for the welfare of the community. Nor is it
panacea for all ills. A community can do very well without political power.
5. Since we are interested in the welfare of the community, we will have to think of
how the community can benefit by the efforts of individual members. Also how we can
live amicably with the members of all other communities.
Since Religion plays an important role in the life of the Tamil Brahmins, we will
digress in my next post about the religious developments in Tamil Nadu and how it
affected/affects the community.
