Pa Ranjith Lashes TN Government: DMK's Rise to Power Due to Dalit Votes, Is Social Justice Only for Votes?

Chennai- Pa Ranjith, renowned filmmaker and close friend of K Armstrong, penned an emotional note after laying to rest the mortal remains of the slain leader and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu President. Armstrong was brutally attacked and killed by unknown assailants in Chennai on Friday evening, leaving the entire state in shock.

The well-known politician, a close confidant of several celebrities including Pa Ranjith, left a significant void in both political and personal circles.

The tragic news of Armstrong's demise had sent shockwaves through the film industry, with Pa Ranjith being particularly affected. The director, known for his close bond with Armstrong, rushed to Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, where the late politician's body was kept.

The emotional scene at the hospital, with Pa Ranjith breaking down in tears, was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media, evoking an outpouring of emotions from fans deeply moved by the director's grief.

Armstrong was laid to rest on Monday in neighbouring Tiruvallur district, hours after the Madras High Court rejected the family's plea to bury the body at the party office here. The burial was held at Pothur in Tiruvallur at the end of a nearly eight hour well-attended funeral procession from the city.

A Cowardly and Brutal Murder: Pa Ranjith

Hours after the burial, in his emotional note, Pa Ranjith shared his grief and raised pressing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Dalit community in Tamil Nadu. He expressed the community's resolve to uphold and fiercely pursue the policies of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that Armstrong stood for, vowing that this would be their tribute and gratitude to him. "Jai Bhim!" he declared.

Pa Ranjith posed several pointed questions to the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and those spreading violence on social media.

He highlighted that the brutal murder occurred very close to the Sembium police station in Chennai. This, he stated, indicates the killers' lack of fear regarding Tamil Nadu's law and order situation. He questioned the government's action plan to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure law and order are maintained.

The director noted that the police have stated that the murderers, who have surrendered and confessed, claimed to have committed the crime as revenge for the murder of Arakkonam Suresh. He expressed concern over the police's eagerness to close the case based on these confessions and questioned who the masterminds and orchestrators behind the crime were.

He also asked about the police's stance on the involvement of Arudhra and the negligence that allowed multiple narratives to spread, making it unclear what is true and what is false. He questioned why the media were not raising these questions.

"When will the government address the increasing threats to Dalit people and Dalit leaders? How will you ensure their safety? If a prominent leader, who was a fortress of protection for Dalit people in the capital, can be so easily killed, it raises fears about the safety of Dalit people in other villages and towns in Tamil Nadu. What plans does the Tamil Nadu government have to remove this tension and threat?" Ranjith raised many questions.

The director also pointed out that there seemed to be a deliberate plan to prevent Armstrong's burial in Perambur. " After nearly two days of drama, we were forced to bury him in Pothur, a suburban village outside Chennai. Despite having the power, the DMK government sought the court's intervention and claimed that the area did not fall within the law and order jurisdiction to prevent his burial in Perambur where he lived. This raises the question of whether the government genuinely cares about Dalit people and Dalit leaders."

Pa Ranjith reminded the DMK government of the significant support it received from Dalit voters, which was crucial for coming to power. "Historically, a significant reason for the DMK coming to power was the substantial votes from Dalit people. Are you unaware of the considerable support Dalits have given your government? Or are you indifferent despite knowing this? I voted to bring you to power. These questions arise from that frustration. Is social justice only for votes?" He asked.

In response to the law and order issue raised by Armstrong's murder, Pa Ranjith criticized some social media justice warriors and media outlets for creating alternative narratives.

They labeled Armstrong a rowdy, questioned how killing a rowdy could be seen as a law and order problem, and claimed he was involved in multiple criminal cases. Pa Ranjith questioned who was behind these narratives and why they were spread even before the shock of the murder could subside.

The Director- Producer also condemned the dominant classes for labeling their fight for self-respect as rowdyism. He defended Armstrong, who gifted thousands of books and promoted Buddhism as the path to human liberation, as taught by Babasaheb. He stated that slandering Armstrong would not change the inspirational words they received from him.

Finally, Pa Ranjith shared his personal connection with Armstrong, recounting how he was drawn to Armstrong's affection from a young age. Armstrong always cared for his growth and safety, and dedicated himself uncompromisingly to Babasaheb Ambedkar's political path.

The director expressed that losing Armstrong was a significant setback in his life, but he would be guided by Armstrong's speeches and thoughts in overcoming this loss. "Jai Bhim!" he concluded.