அறிஞர் அண்ணாவின் கட்டுரைகள்


BOOKING THE BERTH

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)