Rajinikanth's spiritual politics to challenge Dravidian parties rationalist ideology

Superstar Rajinikanth's entry into politics would not only challenge the domination of the Dravidian parties but its rationalist ideology with his "spiritual politics".

The foundation for the Dravidian Movement on the principles of rationalism, reasoning and social justice was laid by social reformer EV Ramasamy or Periyar through his Dravidar Kazhagam (DK). DMK and AIADMK, the off-shoots of DK, which are ruling the state alternatively since 1967 kept the religion away from the politics.

Political observers feel that Rajinikanth's spiritual politics may help create a foothold for BJP in Tamil Nadu. The actor while announcing his political plunge quoted a verse from Bhagavad Gita and declared that he intends to usher in "spiritual politics" devoid of caste and religion.

If Periyar was an unwavering rationalist sparing no effort in criticising religion, scriptures and temples, his follower CN Annadurai walked out of DK to form DMK but tone downed his philosophy of atheism for the electoral politics. DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi is a self-proclaimed rationalist. AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran was a believer but he took care not to show his piety in public. MGR's successor J Jayalalithaa made no secret of her belief.

Tamil Nadu politics steeped in Dravidian ideology remains a stumbling block for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its off-shoot BJP to make a mark. Even though Rajinikanth clarified "spiritual politics" means "justice and fair politics", BJP sees an opportunity to make inroads in Tamil Nadu, its last frontier.

Rajinikanth's entry into the state politics "will hopefully bring about tectonic changes in the 60-year-old frozen Dravidian politics. His spiritual politics is nearer to Modi's than to anyone else in Tamil Nadu or outside," tweeted RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy. BJP's state president Tamilsai Soundararajan claimed that the actor would ally with her party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Writer Stalin Rajangam said that perception of Rajinikanth's entry would pave way for the BJP arise from the actor's close relationship with the saffron party leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We need not see his spirituality in a negative way. Late Jayalalithaa was a staunch believer and never tried to hide it. I think Rajini's spirituality has nothing to do with BJP's brand of Hindutva politics. His spirituality is like that of any commoner who believes in God," he told DNA.

Rajangam, however, said that BJP would certainly try to use Rajini's spirituality for their own political advantage. "The BJP will also see Rajini's entry to its advantage in a way to reduce the dominance of the Dravidian parties in the state politics," he said.

ADVANTAGE BJP

• Writer Stalin Rajangam said that BJP would certainly try to use Rajini’s spirituality for their own political advantage.
   
• “The BJP will also see Rajini’s entry to its advantage in a way to reduce the dominance of the Dravidian parties in the state politics,” he said.