Jayalalitha---The Caped Wonder-Woman

Re: # 8

Revathy, The very fact that you have thought it necessary to write an article like this exposes the fear or demonisation of Jayalalitha. She has gained notoriety of frightening proportions because she has made the state a `democratic` monarchy, and made Tamil Nadu politics stink of corruption, and in general I feel, has dragged TN politics down with her. An unfortunate thing to happen in a state with otherwise well mannered people, unlike in Bihar, for eg. She openly asks for huge sums as commissions and spends them buying real estate and even public property so brazenly in public knowledge.

The other reason is of course her use of the police and intelligence machinery in the state to brutally oppress anyone who dares to question her - even if they were in her own party.

Its a good piece to read and contains a lot of truth. For entirely different reasons though, it would nt get printed in any leading national newspaper, and thats for sure!

Delighted that Dr. JJ has attracted so much intelligent comment!
Mr. Masanamuthu, profuse apologies if you were offended by my remarks. You were spot on.. I am, by definition a TamBrahm woman who lives outside Tamil Nadu, but have spent my college years there and have visited for long periods of time to be able to observe what life is like there.
The thing is I have a horror of being labelled Brahmin or even Tamil, and I find it hard to comprehend how one`s entire being, identity can be bound by the parameters of caste. So by making a statement like that about Dravidian men, I guess I was carried away, and again, I apologise.
If the Sankaracharya was in any way guilty of conspiracy leading to murder, I hope he will be put away for a long time. Religion entering politics will be the death-knell of whatever advances this country has made. And power and money can be abused by anyone even a so-called `seer`. In another forum, I had made the point that calling someone a seer just because he headed a religious institution does not automatically mean he is a holy man.
Holiness is not conferred by some lazy journalist sitting at a desk or by right-wing parties from the Centre.
The anti-Brahmin movement begun in the thirties was in response to terrible doings by people who appropriated the power of learning and thereby excluded millions from any rights to education and employment. But any movement becomes corrupted over time. In Tamil Nadu, as in other states where politics is caste-based, there is no third voice. Everyone needs to be represented. More anon.

Delighted that Dr. JJ has attracted so much intelligent comment!
Mr. Masanamuthu, profuse apologies if you were offended by my remarks. You were spot on.. I am, by definition a TamBrahm woman who lives outside Tamil Nadu, but have spent my college years there and have visited for long periods of time to be able to observe what life is like there.
The thing is I have a horror of being labelled Brahmin or even Tamil, and I find it hard to comprehend how one`s entire being, identity can be bound by the parameters of caste. So by making a statement like that about Dravidian men, I guess I was carried away, and again, I apologise.
If the Sankaracharya was in any way guilty of conspiracy leading to murder, I hope he will be put away for a long time. Religion entering politics will be the death-knell of whatever advances this country has made. And power and money can be abused by anyone even a so-called `seer`. In another forum, I had made the point that calling someone a seer just because he headed a religious institution does not automatically mean he is a holy man.
Holiness is not conferred by some lazy journalist sitting at a desk or by right-wing parties from the Centre.
The anti-Brahmin movement begun in the thirties was in response to terrible doings by people who appropriated the power of learning and thereby excluded millions from any rights to education and employment. But any movement becomes corrupted over time. In Tamil Nadu, as in other states where politics is caste-based, there is no third voice. Everyone needs to be represented. More anon.

Shakaracharya is a pontiff of one of the hindu monastries..but he has miniscule following, perhaps only among a specific caste in tamilnadu. hindus at large are blissfully unaware of his existance.

that jaya is corrupt is no big deal..every local politician has ammased large amounts of wealth..(except narendra modi). most local politicians essentially operate as mafia dons..you make deals with them and the police are their enforcers.

Re: # 4

I`m not an advocate for Jayalalitha. just took offence to the `generalizations` attributed to Tamils/Dravidians..

Either way, it needs a forum like this, outside of Tamil Nadus borders for a `democratic` debate like this to happen. Look at the fate of opposition leaders in the state. Not to mention the pathetic state of dissent within the state. Can you imagine allegations like these - though in common public knowledge in any leading Indian newspaper?

The internet has its advantages in being able to talk without fear.

I think you have a wrong notion too. The main opposition parties are not repressed in TN and it never was.. Jaya jailed Vaiko, Karunanidhi on some flimsy charges and that`s about it.. The number one satellite network in TN is owned by the opposition DMK, and a lot of local newspapers/press are against the govt. too.. And they carry all kinds of charges against Jaya/ADMK.

You are not seeing allegations in national newspapers because there was no major scandal in this regime.. It is not because scandals are not happening. but I believe Jaya`s become smarter like karunanidhi.. :-))

There is a lot of dissent in the state.. I think you are talking about the Sankaracharya arrest, in that case the opposition DMK is with the govt.. and that`s the reason for lack of dissent.

Re: # 3

Would nt you agree that Jayalalitha is more corrupt than MGR or any of her predecessors?

Or are you just resigned to the fact that politicians, wily or villainous, are corrupt to the hilt, with a bottomless appetite?

Either way, it needs a forum like this, outside of Tamil Nadus borders for a `democratic` debate like this to happen. Look at the fate of opposition leaders in the state. Not to mention the pathetic state of dissent within the state. Can you imagine allegations like these - though in common public knowledge in any leading Indian newspaper?

The internet has its advantages in being able to talk without fear.

Revathy:

...In Tamil Nadu, poverty, illiteracy and a passion for cinematic heroes and heroines gave Jayalalitha and others of her breed, potent leverage to catapult her to power...


I think you`re most probably a Tamil Brahmin brought up outside TN, with a skewed understanding of TN and Dravidian politics.. First of all, You should check your facts before writing an artice.. Tamilnadu tops or in one of the top 4 states in many Human Development Indicators like literacy/Health/Fertility rates/ FDI etc.. So it does not matter if we really elect cinematic heroes or have a great passion for cinema heroines.. As long as it works I like many others don`t see a problem with it. Afterall in a democracy anyone can become a ruler.. Why not cine-heroes??. It was the much ridiculed actor MGR, who revolutionised/popularised the ``mid-day meals`` scheme (providing free food to the government school kids, because he himself knew how hard it is for a kid to attend a school with an hungry stomach) that the ``Supreme court`` recently mandated every state to follow. And MGR introduced this when there was a huge budget deficit (20-25 years ago). You can all see the effects of that scheme, poor parents sent their kids to school thinking they`d atleast get one good meal. Those kids would have otherwise been out of school.. .

...In the State Assembly when she speaks, Dravidian men who might normally spit on a woman or give her the backs of their hands, listen in complete, respectful silence. ...

FYI, this is ridiculous and offensive. You have to state the facts where you have seen dravidian men in the assembly spitting on a woman.

I believe you are angry with Jayalalitha, because she made this Sankaracharya dude look like a fool. As far as the general Tamilian is concerned, It is a usual murder case and accounted for some entertainment.. I am fine if you want to your anger at jayalalitha. But I don`t know why it requires a barrage of innuendos against Tamils/Dravidians

Re: # 1

Interesting but true article.
Jayalalitha is the Paki equivalent of Benazir, in the corruption scenario. Only more corrupt that her, some would say. She already has bought real estate in Europe and America. In that sense Bhuttos disciple?

cool profile. should have given more info on how she actually rose to such heights as it would make for an interesting read (unlike the rise of generals in pakistan who wake up one morning and take over the country). Sankaracharya. who`s he?