In the recent days, we have seen Tamil Nadu evolving as a state that doesn’t take things for granted. Though the present political circumstances may not be in favour of the larger mass, people have learnt their way to rise against injustice, question the authorities and if required, even stage protests and demonstrations to make their voice heard.
In the wake of a similar rising, a Chennai-based group called Arappor Iyakkam, organised a Coffee Meet with MLAs of Tamil Nadu. The purpose of this event was for the public to raise their voice and question the MLAs whom they voted, about their actions over the last few months and the present political state as taken over by corrupt leaders.
Arappor Iyakkam, which means Righteous War in Tamil, is an anti-corruption group which aims to achieve a just and equitable society with their activities.
Forgoing their Sunday morning relaxation, organisers, student volunteers, resident associations and civilians began gathering at the Valluvar Kottam in Chennai around 9 am. Even the tribals from around Coimbatore came all the way to question their MLAs about the land-grabbing issue.The group had invited the 122 MLAs who were lodged in the resorts of Koovathur while the Sasikala vs. OPS battle was raging. The tribals from around Coimbatore also came to question their MLA about the land-grabbing issue. With all the arrangements in place and duties designated to student groups from across the city, people anxiously awaited the arrival of the MLAs, but as expected they were in for a letdown. Not even one of the 122 MLAs turned up.The MLAs who were at the feet of their voters during the election did not listen to the people’s voice and instead gave into the hands of a family, which has been convicted on charges of corruption. The MLAs had stayed away from their own voters in a Koovathur resort which was a clear
The MLAs who were at the feet of their voters during the election did not listen to the people’s voice and instead gave into the hands of a family, which has been convicted on charges of corruption. The MLAs had stayed away from their own voters in a Koovathur resort which was a clear breach of democracy. This event was aimed to seek answers from the MLAs on all such actions and to free the state from the “Mafia” rule. The events following former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s death had set off a raging battle for power and the public wanted to know why the MLAs did not seek the opinion of their constituents before deciding to opt for Sasikala. After all, they were elected by their constituencies as the people’s representatives.
The invites were sent ten days ago through registered posts, and in addition to this, organisers say, they had called the MLAs, sent text messages and emails as reminders for the event on Saturday. By not turning up, the MLAs just further reinstated the fact that they were hesitant in facing public scrutiny because somewhere deep down, they even knew that they had let the public down. Surprisingly, the organisers received anonymous threatening calls asking them to stop this event from taking place, but they brushed it and laughed it off as they often do with such threats.
However, their absence didn’t disparage the spirit of the hundreds of people who had gathered. The crowd consisted of citizens of all age group along with students, youth, and a few eminent socialites and artists.
Out of the few speakers who addressed the gathering was the Carnatic vocalist and social activist TM Krishna. “This is the first time that civilians must have gathered without fear in an area to question their MLAs”, he said. “We will murder the concept. It will be a murder of a democracy if we don’t ask questions to our elected representatives questions every day. Before the elections, we need to check the candidate’s background to see if they are worthy of our vote. These MLAs are not bigger than the people,” he added.
An all women’s play performed the song ‘paatu padava paatu kekeva’ (Shall I sing a song, shall I listen to a song?) with lyrics changed as questions directed at MLAs. They belong to the Voice of the People group, and their skit was on how these politicians canvas for votes.
The organisers were prepared for a no show by the MLAs, and they had promptly kept a mock question-answer session ready with some of them donning the MLA mask and taking the stage. But the most exciting part was when the organisers called a few MLAs and put them on a loudspeaker. Some lines were busy, whereas some calls went unanswered and others answered by their PAs.
The speakers urged the people gathered to not give up on their democratic and Constitutional rights and continue seeking answers from the elected leaders. The gathering was encouraged to actively be a part of politics and be aware — not just electoral politics but people’s politics. They were urged to understand that MLAs elected by people are answerable and accountable to us and we …
