TN CM Stalin’s 'Pseudo Nationalists' Remark After Guv Said Freedom Fighters Reduced To 'Caste Leaders'

Stalin chastised those who "expressed a sudden patriotic feeling" for the state's liberation warriors, reminding them that Gandhi's final days will tell the narrative of the "pseudo nationalists."

When the DMK came to power, it immortalised the sacrifices of independence warriors and conducted measures to disseminate their renown, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported. He also chastised individuals who "expressed a sudden patriotic feeling" for the state's liberation warriors, reminding them that Mahatma Gandhi's final days will tell the narrative of the "pseudo nationalists." In a veiled reference to Governor R N Ravi, who claimed on Monday that the stature of national freedom fighters from the state, particularly the Maruthu brothers, had been reduced to that of caste leaders, the chief minister noted that his government had erected a statue for the martyr siblings in Chennai earlier this year at a cost of Rs 34 lakh.

On October 24, 1801, the middle-aged Maruthu Brothers, the first to revolt against British East India Company control, were publicly hung at Tiruppathur fort.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), CM Stalin stated: "Whenever the DMK came to power, it took steps to spread the fame of freedom fighters. Late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi eulogised the life and sacrifices of the Maruthu brothers in a historical novel, 'Thenpandi Singam' ('The Lion of the South')."

While paying honours to the Maruthu brothers' painting at Tiruchirappalli, the Governor stated that the celebration of the sacrifices of the independence fighters had been confined to a private affair.

"I wonder if Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, and Bhagat Singh, too, would have been reduced to caste leaders had they been born in Tamil Nadu. Such is the situation here today. I think this is not acceptable," Ravi was quoted by PTI in its report. 

Without mentioning any individuals, Chief Minister Stalin said: "The last days of the Father of the Nation will recount the rise of 'patriots' who speak politely while harbouring contrary thoughts. It is (about) this lot of Godse (assassin of the Mahatma) that Mahakavi Subramania Bharati sang in his poem 'Nadippu Sudesigal (Pseudo Nationalists)."

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, DMK Parliamentarian T R Baalu claimed that the Governor has made it his habit to talk contrary to the facts because he is unable to stomach the term "Dravidian." He mentioned the most recent occasion when he made statements regarding state freedom fighters.

The Tamil Nadu government has recognised the Maruthu brothers, as well as Pulithevan, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Velu Nachiyar, Theeran Chinnamalai, Mahakavi Bharati, and a number of other state independence warriors. According to him, the government also developed a pension plan for the families of liberation fighters.