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The Independence day was termed as 'day of mourning' by Periyar. Arignar Anna differed with this view & refused to observe it as day of mourning.Though political observers see it as Anna's tilt towards entering electoral politics it is important to know what were Anna's views 1/n
Periyar in two essays on 27.7.1947, 6.8.1947 called independence as the day when power is transferred to Aryans & felt it will lead to exploitation of our presidency by North. He quipped thus, 'they can celebrate this; a Dravidian with self respect will suffer' 2/n
Anna in Dravidanadu essay written on 10.08.1947 refused to agree with his leader's views and wrote a lengthy rebuttal. Those who know Tamil can access it here: arignaranna.net/annaworks/katt… For others and those who have no patience pls proceed ahead with the thread 3/n
Anna points out that that day is the end of Rule of British. People belonging to the country have every right to agitate, pressurise, protest for an efficient governance. The point that British are retreating strengthens people's case for asking for better rule 4/n
As the colonisers have left People have every right to ask their new rulers to ensure ills, pains of British rule doesn't persist anymore. With dawn of independence they are gaining new rights, strength, vigor to ask for a welfare state. 5/n
new rulers of the country in the past used to say as they were focusing their energies on fighting foreign rule they couldn't spare enough time, thought,ways for betterment of People's lives. Now entire onus will fall on those who re here.People can remove them democratically 6/n
Anna lists how Dravidar Kazhagam in past'd opposed British rule vehemently. As British perpetuate Aryan rule, DK has more reasons to oppose them than Congress. In 1000s of meetings his party'd proclaimed that, 'If Congress wants them to leave tomorrow we want it now' 7/n
He dubs British rule as one that was run on Manu dharma and favored Aryans more. 'We had opposed their imperialistic rule and called for ending of the same. But ppl branded as stooges of imperialism. We had said with sagacity that their rule will and after world war...' 8/n
He felt that the departure of British is a day to rejoice. It shd be celebrated in line with their ideologies and stands in the past. Anna argued that though,the Congress rule will be bania imperialism it need not be a reason to forego our joy & pride with advent of freedom 9/n
He then hoped that People can be made aware in future that Congress rule'll be continuation of exploitation of dravidians.He compared 60 and 6 yrs of struggle for independence by Congress and Jinnah And was optimistic that a separate nation by persistent attempts is possible 10/n
Anna argued that People of this nation fought for their birth right & swaraj. They faced numerous hardships, courted arrests, embraced gallows.The courage, sense of sacrifice, spirited fight for their ideology amidst all losses are respected by DK and deserves a brave salute 11/n
Anna then goes on to recollect sacrifices of great freedom fighters like Tirupur kumaran, Bhagat Singh, V.O.C. Anna made an important observation. Idea of Dravida nadu is of recent origin. The sacrifice of many icons happened before that. So, it is important to honor them 12/n
By observing rememberance of the remarkable sacrifices of the past for Indian independence, Anna felt inspiration can be drawn for making courageous sacrifices for attaining the ultimate aim of Dravida nadu for Dravidians. 13/n
Anna also spoke about struggles and sacrifices of Congress Dravidians and their jubilation on arrival of freedom. By observing independence day as day of mourning, DK may end up alienating them and weakening the achievement of Dravida nadu 14/n
He allayed the fears that the ideology and aim of DK will be weakend and defeated by celebrating by stating that our ideology,vision is strong enough and won't be lost in this celebration.This day is for keeping aside issues, problems, aims & celebrating the dawn of freedom. 15/n
Anna pointed to Jinnah as well as congress wins in 1946 elections which gave them legitimacy 4 claims of inheriting power from British. He asks where is Dravidian VOC, Kumaran. He wishes tat comrades ready 2 adorn themselves with sacrificial scars are needed 4 Dravida nadu 16/n
Anna then makes a pertinent observation. The attainment of freedom for India didn't happen just because congress had made a strong case; sacrifices, agitations, money power, support of media, geo politics, weakening of British all resulted in Indian independence 17/n
Anna then notes that his brethren are just rallying soldiers for dravida nadu case. There is no full fledged war yet. There is no defeat or victory. When no serious struggle was initiated, then where is the reason and cause to mourn? 18/n
Anna also recollects how DK cadre is branded as coconspirators wit British. By calling Independence day as day of mourning,he felt DK is playing into hands of congress & lends weight to the allegation.When British rule was opposed seriously by us,why to mourn now ?Asked anna 19/n
' Let's celebrate end of British rule. Let's explain real reasons behind it. Let's talk about who will really benefit from it. We will explain the masses what will be the focus of our future agitations. We will explain our aims and ultimate goals...' Wrote Anna 20/n
Anna says even if party takes action against him, he will use this day to air his views on independence day. Anna assured that even If he is thrown out of party, he will strive for social reform, economic equality and separate Dravidian State. 21/n
For Anna's other views on independence day refer to this chapter from his Adopted Son Parimalam's book on Anna: arignaranna.net/valkaivaralaru… The arguments of Anna were made on various fronts and wasn't singular in its focus. Thanks for tuning in. End of the thread :)
