DMK leader says party’s tolerance of rivals should not be mistaken for acceptance

DMK deputy general secretary Tiruchi N. Siva has said his party’s tolerance of political opponents should not be interpreted as acceptance of their actions. Siva made the remarks on Friday in Chennai during the release of a documentary, The Misa Mark, and a book, Misa Vadukkal, both focused on the Emergency period.

He said the DMK was observing what he called the “bogeyman acts” of some leaders and would act at the appropriate time. He invoked the words of the late former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK leader C.N. Annadurai, saying the party knew when to respond and when its voice and actions should change.

Siva did not identify the rivals or conduct he was referring to in the remarks cited. The Rajya Sabha member recalled the DMK’s opposition to the Emergency imposed by the Congress government led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He said that, unlike crackdowns in other states, the situation in Tamil Nadu reflected a decision by the DMK leadership.

Siva also described how he had chosen to follow M. Karunanidhi after the Emergency, giving up his aspiration to become a civil servant. He said the DMK later set aside its own organisational and personal suffering to support a stable government in New Delhi, including by welcoming Indira Gandhi’s party.

Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani recalled conversations with current DMK president M.K. Stalin in prison during the Emergency and an injury he suffered in jail.

CPI(M) leader K. Balakrishnan said India was now experiencing an “undeclared emergency” under the BJP government. Writer and activist Thiyagu said the Emergency continued in a different form and referred to the prolonged detention of activist Umar Khalid under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Speakers stressed the importance of recording the experiences of those affected.