Tamil Nadu minister EV Velu accuses North Indians of concealing Tamil history- Heres what he said
"Muslims and Hindus cannot be separated. Hinduism is one thing, Hindutva is another. We are not Hindutva followers; we are Hindus who appreciate Islam," he said, citing examples of Muslim communities providing material and financial assistance to Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu'', Minister EV Velu said.
Tirupattur: Tamil Nadu's Public Works and Highways Minister, E.V. Velu, made strong assertions about Tamil identity and history while accusing some in North India of attempting to suppress it. He was speaking as the special guest at a social and religious harmony meeting organized by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Ambur's Mottukollai area on Sunday.
"Language and culture are the identity of the Tamil people. North Indians deny and conceal the history of the Tamils. They don't even accept when our Tamil race originated," Minister Velu stated.
Asserting Tamil Antiquity
The minister anchored his argument in recent archaeological findings in the state. "Archaeological excavations conducted in places like Adichanallur, Sivaganga, Korkai, and Keezhadi in the southern region revealed that Tamils manufactured and used iron knives 5,300 years ago," he said, emphasizing the ancient roots of Tamil civilization. He contrasted this with what he described as a reluctance from some quarters to accept these historical timelines, suggesting it was part of an effort to "suppress the growth of the Tamil race and religious harmony."
Praising Muslim Contribution & Advocating Unity
Minister Velu's speech was focused on communal harmony, directly addressing the Muslim community in attendance. He credited Muslims with being "the first people to raise their voice for the freedom struggle," highlighting the Vellore Fort rebellion of 1806 as a seminal event. "Muslims and Hindus cannot be separated. Hinduism is one thing, Hindutva is another. We are not Hindutva followers; we are Hindus who appreciate Islam," he said, citing examples of Muslim communities providing material and financial assistance to Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu.
He pointed to the symbolic coexistence at Thiruparankundram, where a Murugan temple and a mosque stand side by side, as emblematic of Tamil Nadu's culture. He warned against "a vicious, religiously fanatic group" intent on creating trouble, asserting that such tactics would not succeed in the state.
Political Context
The minister framed these issues within the current Dravidian political stance, reiterating Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's commitment to safeguarding Tamil identity. "The first initiative Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took after assuming office was to show the world who the Tamils are," Velu noted, concluding with a firm political alliance: "Muslims and the Dravidian movement will travel together. No one can separate them."