Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has once again drawn a line between his party's ideological stance and the radical social reform legacy of E.V. Ramasamy Periyar, stating that while he respects Periyar's contributions to social justice, he cannot accept the Dravidian stalwart's atheistic philosophy and anti-Brahmin politics.
Speaking at a public event in Chennai, Annamalai acknowledged that Periyar made significant efforts toward the empowerment of women and the eradication of deep-rooted caste discrimination in Tamil society. However, he argued that several contradictions in Periyar's life and ideology make it difficult for those who value India's cultural and religious traditions to fully embrace his legacy.
"Periyar's contributions towards women's rights and his fight against untouchability are undeniable. But his brand of radical atheism and vehement opposition to Brahmins and traditional institutions go too far," Annamalai said. "There are numerous contradictions in Periyar's history — between what he preached and what he practiced — that demand honest scrutiny."
Annamalai's remarks come amid a growing political conversation in Tamil Nadu about how historical reformers should be remembered and whether their legacies can be selectively appreciated without endorsing their entire philosophical framework. The BJP has long criticized Periyar's anti-hindutva and anti-Castro stances, arguing that his ideology undermined India's civilizational ethos.
Political analysts note that Annamalai's comments reflect the BJP's broader strategy of engaging with Tamil Nadu's social reform history while firmly rejecting the more confrontational aspects of Dravidian ideology, particularly those targeting caste-based identities and religious traditions.
The reaction from Dravidian parties is expected to be swift, with leaders from both the DMK and AIADMK historically defending Periyar as a visionary social reformer whose radical ideas reshaped Tamil society.
