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Journalism of Courage
Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman ‘s increasingly adversarial position on social reformer Periyar — a pillar of the Dravidian movement and a revered figure by all major parties in Tamil Nadu — has spurred protests in the state, leading to clashes at a few places and over 70 cases against him.
At recent public gatherings, speaking of Periyar’s ideology, Seeman has accused him of seeking to “divide Tamil society along religious lines”. Seeman’s critics have denounced this, pointing out that Periyar had fought against religious orthodoxy. Durai Murugan, the general secretary of the ruling DMK, has warned that “the law will do its duty” if peace is disturbed.
But Seeman, a self-avowed Tamil nationalist, appears to be trying to set himself apart from the state’s major parties when it comes to Periyar and the broader Dravidian ethos.
The row started after Seeman’s speech in Vadalur on December 9 when he spoke against Periyar’s views on Tamil language, religion, and feminism. He said Periyar had “demeaned” the Tamil language and considered it “inferior”, suggesting this stance on the language had been detrimental to its progress.
In neighbouring Puducherry, members of regional party Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) took on NTK supporters over the remarks, prompting police intervention.
Then, in a speech on December 16 in Chennai, Seeman said that Periyar’s “advocacy for women’s independence was flawed” — again contrary to the general belief that his ideas were groundbreaking in challenging the patriarchal status quo of his time.
This time there were protests across the state by the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, an offshoot of the Dravidar Kazhagam formed by Periyar.
On Wednesday, more than a dozen outfits who claim to follow Periyar organised a protest at Seeman’s residence in Chennai and demanded evidence for his accusations. The police quickly intervened, preventing any further escalation.
Seeman remained defiant, maintaining that he would not retract his statements and was merely quoting Periyar’s own words as written in his books.
Other controversies
Separately, the Madras High Court Wednesday refused to intervene in a non-bailable warrant issued against Seeman for his recent comments on the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Seeman claimed he was associated with the assassination.
A former Seeman aide claimed last week that a popular photograph of the NTK leader with the LTTE chief Prabhakaran was morphed, at the former’s request. She said she was revealing the “truth” now as she was upset by Seeman’s statements against Periyar.
Within the NTK too, Seeman is facing trouble. Several district-level functionaries of the party have resigned over the last five months, citing Seeman’s authoritarian leadership style.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NTK had managed to secure just over 1 lakh votes across 12 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, though it tripled its vote share from 3.8% in 2019 to 8.2%.
Seeman’s positioning on Periyar comes amidst the rise of actor Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which might change equations in the 2026 Assembly elections. A significant number of his party’s followers could move to the TVK, the leader reportedly fears.
A film director-turned-politician, Seeman had formed the NTK in 2010. His political career has been marked by his uncompromising rhetoric on “essential” Tamil identity.
