IN MEMORY OF PROF. MSS. PANDIAN

The sudden and untimely death of M.S.S. Pandian a renowned scholar of our times shocks everyone acquainted with him. Mr. Pandian is well known through his article in the EPW in the year 1993, in support of PALA's (Peoples Art and Literary Association) struggle to ‘Enter the sanctum sanctorum of Srirangam Temple’ at Trichy. During those days PALA was a lone voice to put forth the concept of Brahminical fascism. The left in general was attacking hindutva as an intolerant version of Hinduism, while PALA argued that the essence of Hinduism was brahminism, and this ideological core of Hinduism should be exposed. It did not have much takers at that time, and situation has not changed much even today. The target of the struggle was to expose the illusion of ‘Hindu unity’ and highlight the constitutional sanction accorded to the institution of caste and brahminism in matters of Hindu religious faith. His article, while dwelling into the facts around the struggle, highlighted history and politics behind the struggle, especially about the Dravidian movement and EVR Periyar.

The demise of Mr. Pandian also reminisces the early 1990s, and the emergence of Sangh parivar in the Indian political arena, pronouncing hindutva as its agenda. The deep rooted prejudice and hatred of the ‘north Indian mind’ towards Tamilnadu, for its ‘anti-hindi, anti-brahmin, anti-mainstream’ approach towards the national politics has much to do with this. The north Indian intellectuals in general are ignorant of the rich Tamil tradition which is independent of the brahmanic and sanskritic traditions of the north and are unwilling to learn about the Dravidian movement of Tamilnadu. Mr.Pandian’s writings in English gain significance in this context, as they were instrumental in removing north india’s ignorance, or arrogance to be precise.

His support to the Eelam movement was not unequivocal. His approach towards LTTE was critical, and he didn’t endorse Tamil nationalism devoid of anti-Brahminism. His writings expose MGR and Jayalalitha claiming the legacy of the Dravidian movement. He is also critical in his approach towards the brahminisation of intermediary castes. Recently when the Nadar community (previously shaanars) was up in arms against the NCERT text book, which dealt with the historical fact that shaanars, were treated as untouchables during the 19th century , almost all the political parties joined the chorus against NCERT. But Pandian was unsparing in his critique. He wrote that the clamor for a censored caste history has a right-wing Hindu character to it.

It is a rarity in the Indian scenario, for a public intellectual to profess openly against brahminism and to endure with it all through one’s life. It is also exceptional for such a person to be acclaimed a scholar. Mr. Pandian won it.

In 2012, when TNM conducted the Public meeting on ‘The Politics of Food culture –The Holy Cow and Unholy Swine’ Mr. Pandian was a staunch supporter of the issue of beef and pork. He was not able to be a speaker because of some personal problems, yet, as a mark of support of the issue, he made it a point to attend the programme and commented at the time of question answer session. We cannot forget the regard he had towards the the ML movement and his anguish on the emergence of hindu fascist forces and the decline of the democratic forces. A non-egotist public intellectual he was, and it is deeply saddening when one reminisces his congenial dialogue and warm friendship.