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This is a continuation (rather derivation or real-time example) of the thread I wrote on @tjoseph0010's brilliant book "Early Indians". You can read it here:
https://twitter.com/HardFastAndFree/status/1289892601101983745
Why does RSS/BJP fail in Tamil Nadu?
Thread.
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Since winning the general polls in 2014....
https://twitter.com/HardFastAndFree/status/1289892601101983745
Why does RSS/BJP fail in Tamil Nadu?
Thread.
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Since winning the general polls in 2014....
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BJP has literally turned into an unbeatable political force in India. With a few hiccups, BJP has generally been a roaring success there. There's no opposition to BJP at the national level. Even at the state level, there's no opposition to BJP.
Except Tamil Nadu.
BJP has literally turned into an unbeatable political force in India. With a few hiccups, BJP has generally been a roaring success there. There's no opposition to BJP at the national level. Even at the state level, there's no opposition to BJP.
Except Tamil Nadu.
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What makes Tamil Nadu so different to other states that BJP throws good money after bad but still comes a cropper in the polls there?
Tamil Nadu fundamentally differs from a typical BJP state at every level: economic, social, political, ideological and even religious.
What makes Tamil Nadu so different to other states that BJP throws good money after bad but still comes a cropper in the polls there?
Tamil Nadu fundamentally differs from a typical BJP state at every level: economic, social, political, ideological and even religious.
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Every other aspect of Tamil Nadu has been exhaustively discussed by many other people so I'll focus on the religious aspect that literally makes Tamil Nadu the Final Frontier for RSS/BJP, i.e., RSS/BJP will perish before they ever appropriate/override Tamil culture.
Every other aspect of Tamil Nadu has been exhaustively discussed by many other people so I'll focus on the religious aspect that literally makes Tamil Nadu the Final Frontier for RSS/BJP, i.e., RSS/BJP will perish before they ever appropriate/override Tamil culture.
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But first, we need to understand Hindutva.
I've already covered Hindutva in depth in this thread months ago.
https://twitter.com/HardFastAndFree/status/1259795539421540353
However it's time we knew a little more than what we do.
Who is the supreme deity of Hindutva? Not Shiva, Murugan, Vishnu or Brahma.
But first, we need to understand Hindutva.
I've already covered Hindutva in depth in this thread months ago.
https://twitter.com/HardFastAndFree/status/1259795539421540353
However it's time we knew a little more than what we do.
Who is the supreme deity of Hindutva? Not Shiva, Murugan, Vishnu or Brahma.
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It's Bharat Mata. Where did this entity come from? Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who was inspired by Britannia (the UK) and Columbia (the US). At least the UK and the US have male personifications: The British Bulldog and Uncle Sam. India has no male personification.
It's Bharat Mata. Where did this entity come from? Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who was inspired by Britannia (the UK) and Columbia (the US). At least the UK and the US have male personifications: The British Bulldog and Uncle Sam. India has no male personification.
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So Bharat Mata is the supreme deity of Hindutva. After the Ram Janmabhumi movement, Lord Ram became an important deity of Hindutva. So the slogan "Jai Sri Ram".
As you can see, RSS doesn't have a solid foundation or theology. It's just what helps BJP politically.
So Bharat Mata is the supreme deity of Hindutva. After the Ram Janmabhumi movement, Lord Ram became an important deity of Hindutva. So the slogan "Jai Sri Ram".
As you can see, RSS doesn't have a solid foundation or theology. It's just what helps BJP politically.
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Their main driving force is hatred for Muslims and Christians. So in the process, RSS must essentially appropriate, override or eliminate deities that stand in the way whose followers don't comply with their demands.
Given how Marwari Jain and Gujarati businessmen/
Their main driving force is hatred for Muslims and Christians. So in the process, RSS must essentially appropriate, override or eliminate deities that stand in the way whose followers don't comply with their demands.
Given how Marwari Jain and Gujarati businessmen/
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are intimately tied with RSS/BJP, it's essentially Gujarati/Marwari imperialism masquerading as a pseudo-religious and political ideology.
If you want to know more about this, have a look at any place where huge Hindu-Muslim or Hindu-Christian riots take place.
are intimately tied with RSS/BJP, it's essentially Gujarati/Marwari imperialism masquerading as a pseudo-religious and political ideology.
If you want to know more about this, have a look at any place where huge Hindu-Muslim or Hindu-Christian riots take place.
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Very soon, Marwari Jain and Gujarati businessmen will setup shop and takeover that place. A very good example is Coimbatore after the 1997 riots and 1998 bomb blasts. Prime parts of that town are dominated by Marwaris/Gujaratis. Tamils are relegated to the suburbs.
Very soon, Marwari Jain and Gujarati businessmen will setup shop and takeover that place. A very good example is Coimbatore after the 1997 riots and 1998 bomb blasts. Prime parts of that town are dominated by Marwaris/Gujaratis. Tamils are relegated to the suburbs.
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That's why Thoothukudi has been the target of Tamil Nadu Police under ADMK/BJP for the past few years, from the 2018 massacre to the brutal killings of Jayaraj and Fenix a few months ago.
Thoothukudi is a port town wherein international freight enters India.
That's why Thoothukudi has been the target of Tamil Nadu Police under ADMK/BJP for the past few years, from the 2018 massacre to the brutal killings of Jayaraj and Fenix a few months ago.
Thoothukudi is a port town wherein international freight enters India.
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Seva Bharati, an RSS group, was involved in the torture. If Coimbatore 1997 was a good place to make money, Thoothukudi today is at least 10 times better. I wouldn't be surprised if Gujarati/Marwari business interests were/are actually eyeing that town and district.
Seva Bharati, an RSS group, was involved in the torture. If Coimbatore 1997 was a good place to make money, Thoothukudi today is at least 10 times better. I wouldn't be surprised if Gujarati/Marwari business interests were/are actually eyeing that town and district.
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With that said, let's get to the topic at hand.
Tamils are deeply religious. The majority of the population follows Shaivism, i.e., worship of Shiva. They firmly believe Shiva is the ultimate God with no equal. They see Murugan as Shiva with six heads instead of five.
With that said, let's get to the topic at hand.
Tamils are deeply religious. The majority of the population follows Shaivism, i.e., worship of Shiva. They firmly believe Shiva is the ultimate God with no equal. They see Murugan as Shiva with six heads instead of five.
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Indeed, that was my experience with devout Shaivites from Tamil Nadu. They didn't identify with the term "Hindu" at all, except for official reasons. Vaishnavites were more amenable in that regard.
Also there's the aspect of language. Tamil Shaivites believe in the/
Indeed, that was my experience with devout Shaivites from Tamil Nadu. They didn't identify with the term "Hindu" at all, except for official reasons. Vaishnavites were more amenable in that regard.
Also there's the aspect of language. Tamil Shaivites believe in the/
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supremacy of Tamil over Sanskrit. This not only clashes with RSS (which believes in Sanskrit supremacy), it also clashes with the sect of Iyers who follow the Kanchi Shankaracharya.
Kanchi Shankaracharya himself said that Tamil is a neech bhasha (lowly language).
supremacy of Tamil over Sanskrit. This not only clashes with RSS (which believes in Sanskrit supremacy), it also clashes with the sect of Iyers who follow the Kanchi Shankaracharya.
Kanchi Shankaracharya himself said that Tamil is a neech bhasha (lowly language).
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He looked down on Tamil which Shaivites hold dear. Shaivites sing Tamil hymns in praise of God Shiva. They don't hate Vaishnavites, Shaktiites, Muslims or Christians.
RSS has coordinated the same Kanchi mutt which denigrated Tamil. Gurumurthy and Subramanian Swamy/
He looked down on Tamil which Shaivites hold dear. Shaivites sing Tamil hymns in praise of God Shiva. They don't hate Vaishnavites, Shaktiites, Muslims or Christians.
RSS has coordinated the same Kanchi mutt which denigrated Tamil. Gurumurthy and Subramanian Swamy/
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are followers of that mutt.
Also Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who's very chummy with RSS, once called Shiva the god of the grave and assigned him a caste. This is an insult to Tamil Shaivites for whom Shiva is supreme with no equal and eternal with no birth or death.
are followers of that mutt.
Also Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who's very chummy with RSS, once called Shiva the god of the grave and assigned him a caste. This is an insult to Tamil Shaivites for whom Shiva is supreme with no equal and eternal with no birth or death.
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In other words, Sri Sri literally turned Shiva into Baron Samedi, the Haitian Vodou Lwa (spirit) that watches over the grave and is the keeper of the cemetery.
If you're interested to know more about Haitian Vodou, please read this thread.
https://twitter.com/HardFastAndFree/status/1269684843547430912
In other words, Sri Sri literally turned Shiva into Baron Samedi, the Haitian Vodou Lwa (spirit) that watches over the grave and is the keeper of the cemetery.
If you're interested to know more about Haitian Vodou, please read this thread.
https://twitter.com/HardFastAndFree/status/1269684843547430912
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Sure, Tamils have a tendency to respect all deities that approach them, so if somebody introduces the Lwa of Haitian Vodou to them tomorrow, Tamils would learn about them with interest.
However Tamil Shaivites won't compromise on the supremacy of Tamil and Shiva.
Sure, Tamils have a tendency to respect all deities that approach them, so if somebody introduces the Lwa of Haitian Vodou to them tomorrow, Tamils would learn about them with interest.
However Tamil Shaivites won't compromise on the supremacy of Tamil and Shiva.
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This is where RSS/BJP faces its first roadblock.
Okay, what about coordinating non-Shaivites and capturing Tamil Nadu?
Sounds like a nice idea. That was what they did in Haryana: coordinating non-Jats.
However there's still trouble: All Tamils love the Tamil language.
This is where RSS/BJP faces its first roadblock.
Okay, what about coordinating non-Shaivites and capturing Tamil Nadu?
Sounds like a nice idea. That was what they did in Haryana: coordinating non-Jats.
However there's still trouble: All Tamils love the Tamil language.
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All of them hold Tamil in high regard. Sanskrit supremacist RSS will find the going hard.
Also followers of other deities eat a lot of meat. Most Shaivites also do, however there's a minority that doesn't.
As to why Tamils eat meat? Lactose intolerance.
All of them hold Tamil in high regard. Sanskrit supremacist RSS will find the going hard.
Also followers of other deities eat a lot of meat. Most Shaivites also do, however there's a minority that doesn't.
As to why Tamils eat meat? Lactose intolerance.
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Most Tamils don't consume milk or its byproducts like cottage cheese (aka paneer) as they're generally lactose intolerant and hence derive most of their nutrition from meat.
From a Gujarati/Marwari Jain standpoint, eating meat is the ultimate sin and unacceptable.
Most Tamils don't consume milk or its byproducts like cottage cheese (aka paneer) as they're generally lactose intolerant and hence derive most of their nutrition from meat.
From a Gujarati/Marwari Jain standpoint, eating meat is the ultimate sin and unacceptable.
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This doesn't even enter the territory of animal sacrifices which are commonplace in Tamil Nadu's villages.
The biggest hurdle for RSS/BJP is the fact that most if not all Tamils are aware of the fact that Shiva is NOT a Vedic/Aryan deity but a Harappan/Dravidian deity.
This doesn't even enter the territory of animal sacrifices which are commonplace in Tamil Nadu's villages.
The biggest hurdle for RSS/BJP is the fact that most if not all Tamils are aware of the fact that Shiva is NOT a Vedic/Aryan deity but a Harappan/Dravidian deity.
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So what can RSS/BJP do?
They can try appropriating this deity. But then they're nominally Vaishnavite with their main focus on the artificial "Bharat Mata". Tamil Shaivites won't sit idly and allow it to happen.
If in doubt, ask the Christian missionaries who tried it.
So what can RSS/BJP do?
They can try appropriating this deity. But then they're nominally Vaishnavite with their main focus on the artificial "Bharat Mata". Tamil Shaivites won't sit idly and allow it to happen.
If in doubt, ask the Christian missionaries who tried it.
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Note that I'm not talking about the general Tamil Christian population. My focus is only on *some* missionaries who tried to appropriate parts of Shaivism and failed.
RSS can try to subsume this deity into their brand of Hindutva in general. But again, there's a hurdle.
Note that I'm not talking about the general Tamil Christian population. My focus is only on *some* missionaries who tried to appropriate parts of Shaivism and failed.
RSS can try to subsume this deity into their brand of Hindutva in general. But again, there's a hurdle.
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RSS has already coordinated the Kanchi mutt which denigrates Tamil. How can you dump them after hobnobbing with them for so long?
Also RSS/BJP is ideologically/politically closer to the Kanchi mutt than Tamil Shaivites. Will Pakistan ever ally with India against China?
RSS has already coordinated the Kanchi mutt which denigrates Tamil. How can you dump them after hobnobbing with them for so long?
Also RSS/BJP is ideologically/politically closer to the Kanchi mutt than Tamil Shaivites. Will Pakistan ever ally with India against China?
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RSS/BJP can try overriding/erasing their heritage and culture completely, in the name of "protecting Hinduism" that is. They won't hate Muslims and Christians anyway, because they don't need to. But if you do that, aren't you destroying Hinduism (by your own criteria)?
RSS/BJP can try overriding/erasing their heritage and culture completely, in the name of "protecting Hinduism" that is. They won't hate Muslims and Christians anyway, because they don't need to. But if you do that, aren't you destroying Hinduism (by your own criteria)?
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In other words, in order to capture power in Tamil Nadu, RSS/BJP will have to deceive those people or override/erase their identity and heritage completely. But that enters the realm of cultural genocide.
A recent example is the "Vel Pooja" conducted by RSS/BJP there.
In other words, in order to capture power in Tamil Nadu, RSS/BJP will have to deceive those people or override/erase their identity and heritage completely. But that enters the realm of cultural genocide.
A recent example is the "Vel Pooja" conducted by RSS/BJP there.
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It's a known fact that all Tamils worship Murugan or at least hold him in high regard (i.e, if they're not Shaivites). You'll find at least one portrait of Murugan in Tamil households.
What's with RSS'/BJP's Vel Pooja? Well they ended up denigrating that deity.
It's a known fact that all Tamils worship Murugan or at least hold him in high regard (i.e, if they're not Shaivites). You'll find at least one portrait of Murugan in Tamil households.
What's with RSS'/BJP's Vel Pooja? Well they ended up denigrating that deity.
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Check out this tweet. Murugan is never worshiped in a prayer room. Why? Many people asked RSS/BJP.
https://twitter.com/Deva_twitz/status/1292502893740716032
Murugan who is dear to Tamils is worshiped outside on the streets.
https://twitter.com/SheikMohd20/status/1292508079007793152
Would RSS/BJP worship Lord Ram the same way?
Check out this tweet. Murugan is never worshiped in a prayer room. Why? Many people asked RSS/BJP.
https://twitter.com/Deva_twitz/status/1292502893740716032
Murugan who is dear to Tamils is worshiped outside on the streets.
https://twitter.com/SheikMohd20/status/1292508079007793152
Would RSS/BJP worship Lord Ram the same way?
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Also there's this. One genius is holding the Vel as if he's Murugan himself!
https://twitter.com/naatupurathan/status/1292474288901984261
When RSS/BJP engages in such high-voltage drama, it might cut ice with the general Indian population, but Tamils are a bit different. They're deep and not shallow.
Also there's this. One genius is holding the Vel as if he's Murugan himself!
https://twitter.com/naatupurathan/status/1292474288901984261
When RSS/BJP engages in such high-voltage drama, it might cut ice with the general Indian population, but Tamils are a bit different. They're deep and not shallow.
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There's also a darker aspect to RSS'/BJP's "Vel Pooja". Not only was Murugan not worshiped in a prayer room in any RSS/BJP cadre's house, in one such event of "Vel Pooja" somewhere, hymns and praises to Lord Ram were being recited, not Murugan!
There's also a darker aspect to RSS'/BJP's "Vel Pooja". Not only was Murugan not worshiped in a prayer room in any RSS/BJP cadre's house, in one such event of "Vel Pooja" somewhere, hymns and praises to Lord Ram were being recited, not Murugan!
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RSS/BJP tried to appropriate the Vel and exclude the deity himself! RSS/BJP were basically telling Tamils:
"He's YOUR God but the prayers are EXCLUSIVELY OURS. WE will conduct prayers for YOUR God."
In due time, neither the deity Murugan nor his Vel will be Tamil.
RSS/BJP tried to appropriate the Vel and exclude the deity himself! RSS/BJP were basically telling Tamils:
"He's YOUR God but the prayers are EXCLUSIVELY OURS. WE will conduct prayers for YOUR God."
In due time, neither the deity Murugan nor his Vel will be Tamil.
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This was how Harappan Hindu deities were subsumed into the Vedic fold long back.
If this could happen right in front of everybody's eyes today, imagine what would've happened back then.
You don't need to go too far. Pick up the Rig Veda and read it yourself!
This was how Harappan Hindu deities were subsumed into the Vedic fold long back.
If this could happen right in front of everybody's eyes today, imagine what would've happened back then.
You don't need to go too far. Pick up the Rig Veda and read it yourself!
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And also read @tjoseph0010's book Early Indians and compare it to what transpired in Tamil Nadu recently.
I can't thank him enough for writing the book. It was mainly due to reading that book, I could understand what transpired in Tamil Nadu in real time.
And also read @tjoseph0010's book Early Indians and compare it to what transpired in Tamil Nadu recently.
I can't thank him enough for writing the book. It was mainly due to reading that book, I could understand what transpired in Tamil Nadu in real time.
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This is how Hindutva clashes with Tamil Shaivism at the fundamental level. Saffron clashes with Red/White.
By my understanding, Tamil Shaivites consider Red/White the auspicious colors of Shiva (I forgot the Tamil term that describes Shiva in red). More like Japan!
This is how Hindutva clashes with Tamil Shaivism at the fundamental level. Saffron clashes with Red/White.
By my understanding, Tamil Shaivites consider Red/White the auspicious colors of Shiva (I forgot the Tamil term that describes Shiva in red). More like Japan!
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Attempting to spread Hindutva in Tamil Nadu is like somebody attempting to spread Lutheranism in the Balkans and Russia.
As a liberal who follows the Church of Norway, if I try to spread Lutheranism in Russia, the FSB (continuation of USSR's intelligence agency KGB)/
Attempting to spread Hindutva in Tamil Nadu is like somebody attempting to spread Lutheranism in the Balkans and Russia.
As a liberal who follows the Church of Norway, if I try to spread Lutheranism in Russia, the FSB (continuation of USSR's intelligence agency KGB)/
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Will silently watch me. One fine day, they'll catch hold of me, throw me into a dark room, interrogate and torture me for hours/days/months together, extract a huge bribe from me and finally expel me from Russia.
Why?
Russia subscribes to the Orthodox Church.
Will silently watch me. One fine day, they'll catch hold of me, throw me into a dark room, interrogate and torture me for hours/days/months together, extract a huge bribe from me and finally expel me from Russia.
Why?
Russia subscribes to the Orthodox Church.
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The Russian Orthodox Church has joined forces with the FSB and harasses minority religions like Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. They also harass non-Orthodox Christian sects like Catholics and Protestants.
Russia is an extreme example. But there are the Balkans.
The Russian Orthodox Church has joined forces with the FSB and harasses minority religions like Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. They also harass non-Orthodox Christian sects like Catholics and Protestants.
Russia is an extreme example. But there are the Balkans.
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If I preach Lutheranism in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania or Serbia, I won't face harassment but ultimately there will be no takers.
That's the same way Hindutva is seen in Tamil Nadu. Hindutvadis are literally entering alien territory. It's their Final Frontier.
If I preach Lutheranism in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania or Serbia, I won't face harassment but ultimately there will be no takers.
That's the same way Hindutva is seen in Tamil Nadu. Hindutvadis are literally entering alien territory. It's their Final Frontier.
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With only WhatsApp lies and misinformation by their side, they're confronting a people who know their own history very well. It worked elsewhere, it won't work in Tamil Nadu.
This is the end of my thread.
Thank you all for reading. Have a nice day.
With only WhatsApp lies and misinformation by their side, they're confronting a people who know their own history very well. It worked elsewhere, it won't work in Tamil Nadu.
This is the end of my thread.
Thank you all for reading. Have a nice day.
