The
Hon'ble C.Subramaniam is busy booking a berth for his
sojourn to Delhi — and he has paid the fare over and
above what is required — not in cash, but by presenting
an advocacy on behalf of North Indian Domination.
He had to exhibit an extra amount of Loyalty to his
Masters at Delhi, for the simple reason, that they would
be immensely pleased with a 'Yes-Man'.
On the floor of the Assembly here, he had to fall in
line almost with the D.M.K's view—and had to plead with
the D.M.K., to 'postpone' the demand for Dravidasthan
for at least Ten years. In fact, he spoke about a Truce!
And this led certain upcountry journals to pounce upon
the Finance Minister. Taken unawares, he had to reel
at the lashes given; but he was waiting for an opportunity
to prove his innocence, and servility, and having got
one, emitted a series of assertions catering to the
tastes of his partymen.
For an hour, the Minister was on his legs, emitting
forth a torrent of words — but all that made one remember
the saying sound and fury signifying nothing.
Being the last speaker, as Leader of the House, the
Minister had the unique privilege of holding the floor,
hurling assertions, mis-representations and vilifications,
without having the risk of meeting any reply at all
from those whom he attacked.
The leader of the D.M.K. spoke, about the Budget—about
the limitations and restrictions placed on the States
by the Centre, and pointed out how imperative it is
to get Dravidasthan.
The Hon'ble C.Subramaniam did not reply to any one of
the points raised—instead, he began to probe into the
history of the parent-body of the D.M.K. - even the
grandpa!
"In the year 1929," read the Minister, with
a gusto and confidence very rarely to be seen in him,
"the Self-respect Movement was inaugurated and
it passed such and such a resolution. Then the S.I.L.F.
met at Salem, and passed a resolution, that Madras province
should become a separate entity under the direct supervision
of London." So on and so forth the Minister was
plodding on to prove two points.
(a) That the parent-body co-operated with the British
regime and pleaded for a separate State, but under the
supervision of London.
(b) That the party claimed affinity with the Muslims.
Having discovered these tow points, this Columbus unfolded
the richness of his imagination.
This is the history of this D.M.K.
The D.M.K., is demanding Dravidasthan. Does that not
prove that the demand is dangerous, reactionary and
so on.
Granting that the parent-body was conservative or even
reactionary, how could that be a reason for discarding,
the demand—the Minister did not reply. Did not, because,
he could not!
None forgets that the Congress was organised by a White
Man, Mr.Hume!
None forgets, that it was a petitioning body for a very
long time!
None forgets that the one aim of the Congress for a
long number of years, was to beg for an equitable and
just share, in the loaves and fishes of office!
And on that account, none today, damns the Congress.
From out of such a petitioning body, was generated a
fighting force, in the course of time, by the force
of circumstances.
So too, the Self Respect Movement was begun with the
sole aim of reconstructing society on a rational basis—and
after a number of years, there was a sort of merger
of this Movement with the S.I.L.F.
The S.I.L.F. was begun as a co-operating body, just
as the Congress was in its initial stages a petitioning
body.
After having had varied experiences, the S.I.L.F., had
to reach a stage, when it had to change it mental climate.
This 'merger' of the Self-respect Movement with the
S.I.L.F—unleashed a new force, the Dravida Kazhagam.
And from out of this Dravida Kazhagam, has arisen the
D.M.K., and it is having its independent existence,
for the past 8 years—and has been able to send two of
its members to the Parliament at Delhi, and fifteen
of its members to the State Legislature. More than 17
lakhs voted for the D.M.K.
The Finance Minister is attempting to damn the D.M.K.,
by just digging into the grave of the parent-body!
If that is logic, anybody could faunt the present-day
Congress, pointing out, that the Congress was after
all begotten by a While Man!
One would never expect, a responsible Minister to vend
such cheap commodities! But, he had to! For want of
a better sort of goods!
Accepting for the sake of argument, that the parent-body
was conservative or even reactionary, how could that
be advanced as an argument for discrediting the D.M.K.?
From out of the oyster, pearls are got—and even Felons
do beget Saintly sons!
But, no, the Finance Minister wanted to attack the D.M.K.—and
having nothing at all to find fault with, had to go
to the grave-yard digging to get some dried-up bones!
Let him enjoy that hobby—we do not mind.
The people are looking at this problem from a different
angle altogether—they are happy to witness, a National
Movement springing forth, from out of the embers, of
the old institution. And many who are today in the D.M.K.,
are proud and happy over this fact—they were able to
carve out—chisel out, a new, a virile, National Movement,
from out of the much-misunderstood parent-body.
From out of the embers of the parent-body, the sponsors
of the D.M.K., were able to carve out a vigorous, popular,
Liberation Movement whereas, the Congress picked up
the 'thrown-outs' and 'castaways' from the grave-yard,
and crowned them all.
The Minister was not justified in reading a portion
of the resolution passed at Salem—the final portion
of the resolution is the key to the problem—not the
Pre-amble. The Preamble narrates the wrong policy followed
so far! And the final portion points out, what ought
to be done in fact, that portion ushers in a new look
altogether—for that portion asks the members of the
S.I.L.F., to give up all titles and honorary posts granted
by the Britishers.
This radical change in the Movement, was mis-interpreted
by the Minister on the floor of the Assembly. But the
people outside know, what lessons to draw from the peculiar
kind of logic utilised by the Finance Minister.
"Damn the D.M.K." thunders forth the Finance
Minister, "for, its parent-body, the Self-respect
Movement, co-operated with the Britishers."
The Minister is not expected to analyse the nature of
the composition of the D.M.K.— some from the parent-institution
are in the D.M.K.—but the tallest and the richest are
today in the Congress camp, supplying liberal grants
to the party coffers, and enjoying power and influence
in their parlour.
Conscientious Congressmen ought to be ashmed of this
association.
Congressmen with back-bone ought to have refused to
get themselves 'polluted' by such men.
But, no, they wax eloquent about this 'association'—
and they did reap a profit from the propaganda of the
Leader of the Self-Respect Movement during the general
elections.
And forgetting the fact, that they have left the Congress
to be in the 'embraces' of just those men, who found
the S.I.L.F., itself becoming hot for them—these men
hear and applaud their minister, when he screams forth,
that the D.M.K., has for its parent institutions, the
S.I.L.F. and the Self-Respect Movement.
The Minister would have naturally asked some of his
friends, to pat him on his back, for the 'performance'—but
the people, who think, and argue, would certainly arrive
at the conclusion that the argument of the Minister
reminds one of the fable of the 'Wily fox and the Lamp'.
Students who are below the teenage, know this fable.
It was left to the Hon'ble Mr. C.Subramaniam, to elevate
this fable to the status of an argument and trot it
out on the floor of the Assembly.
But, is this performance then, unfruitful? Certainly
not! This washes away the 'sin'—and those in the upcountry,
who were suspicious of the Finance Minister, would smile
and say, "Ah! That is right! He is just in form!"
But, with the people—the Minister's performance would
but create, a sort of contempt for the manner and method
of the logic he indulged in!
Anyway, if this would not satisfy the upcountry—nothing
else could. So, it seems to us that the performance
is nothing short of Booking a Berth for Delhi!
(Editorial
- 09-03-1958)