Why India is not the Tamilnadu and we need a strategy to deal with

Tamil Nadu has often stood as a challenge to the Sangh Parivar ecosystem. It remains one of the most self-sufficient and progressive states in the country, especially when compared to many states in the Hindi heartland. From its political autonomy to its emphasis on social justice, Tamil Nadu has carved a path rooted in rationalist thought and grassroots reform. Among the most influential figures of this movement was Periyar E. V. Ramasamy — a man whose ideas still echo through the state's social fabric.

But this modern, progressive Tamil Nadu wasn’t always this way.

There was a time when the state was deeply entangled in the web of caste. So rigid was the system that inter-caste relationships often resulted in brutal consequences, sometimes even in the form of honor killings. Caste identity dictated every aspect of life — from education to marriage to temple access.

Over time, however, Tamil Nadu began to transform. Social reform movements, many led by leaders genuinely committed to the ideals of equality and justice, began to challenge the old order. Through powerful anti-caste movements, affirmative action policies, and public awareness campaigns, the state started closing the gap between castes. The people of Tamil Nadu — not just its leaders — played a crucial role in this transformation. It takes deep cultural courage to let go of privilege, and large sections of society did just that, moving away from caste supremacy to a more inclusive vision of society.

No amount of modernism can flourish without the support and participation of local communities. And in Tamil Nadu, it was the people who made the conscious choice to move away from caste hierarchies, allowing future generations a chance to live with greater dignity and freedom. Their willingness to evolve deserves recognition.

Today, India as a whole finds itself at a similar crossroads — where Tamil Nadu once stood in its battle against caste, the country now stands in its battle against communalism. Yet, the Hindi heartland appears less willing to confront and renounce the ideas of religious supremacy, often justified under the umbrella of ‘Sanatan Dharma’.

What’s ironic is that the spiritual texts revered in Sanatan tradition — the Ramayana, the Mahabharata — are filled with discourses on renunciation and dharma. Both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna speak at length about self-sacrifice, letting go, and the greater good. And yet, many who identify with this tradition today struggle to renounce ideas of religious or cultural superiority — a contradiction that continues to hinder the creation of a truly modern, united India.

The question before us is this: Will the Hindi heartland show the same willingness that Tamil Nadu once did? Will it be ready to let go of supremacist notions and create a future that prioritizes harmony over hierarchy?

Only time will tell. But the hope is that, like Tamil Nadu, the rest of India too will rise to the occasion — not for the sake of the present alone, but for the generations to come.

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