A pro-Periyar group staged a protest outside Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief Seeman’s residence this morning, condemning his controversial remarks on Dravidian ideologue Periyar.
Protesters accused Seeman of spreading falsehoods and pandering to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to further his political ambitions. Popular activist Thirumurugan Gandhi joined the protest, vowing to expose Seeman’s alleged shift away from Periyarist principles during the upcoming assembly elections.
“Seeman started his career as a Periyarist. Now he has moved away from that ideology to get closer to the RSS and BJP. He is spreading lies to associate with the BJP. We will expose him in the assembly elections. The reason why the BJP didn’t win in Tamil Nadu is because of Periyarists. The same thing will happen with Seeman,” said Gandhi.
Seeman, a former Periyarist, faced criticism for making incendiary remarks about Periyar. In his recent statements, he criticised Periyar’s stance on Tamil and rationalism, and accused the reformer of promoting incestuous relationships.
Speaking at a meeting in Vadalur on January 8, Seeman claimed that Periyar had no real connection to the concept of social justice and accused him of undermining Tamil pride.
Multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against Seeman across Tamil Nadu, with 60 cases reportedly registered in just two days.
The BJP, meanwhile, has extended support to Seeman, with Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai stating he could provide evidence to substantiate the NTK leader’s claims about Periyar. This has fueled speculation about a potential NTK-BJP alliance ahead of the elections.
The controversy comes amid the Election Commission’s announcement of candidates for the Erode East bypolls, where NTK is emerging as a key opponent to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). With opposition parties boycotting the election, NTK fielded MK Seethalakshmi against DMK’s VC Chandhirakumar in the bypoll necessitated by the death of Congress leader EVKS Elangovan.
The fallout from Seeman’s remarks has been intense, with protests erupting across Tamil Nadu. Images of Seeman have been burned by Periyarist groups, and demonstrations have taken place outside his residence and other locations.