A Bridge Too Far? The Principle of Casteless Public Spaces in Tamil Nadu

Honoring GT Naidu is commendable, but using his caste surname betrays a core Dravidian ideal. Here’s a gentle, principled way to correct course.

#DravidianModel #CastelessSociety #TamilNadu #SocialJustice #Tamil

Dear Friends,

You may have seen the news: the Tamil Nadu government is planning to name a new over-bridge after the renowned industrialist and philanthropist, GT Naidu. On the surface, this is a positive gesture—a state acknowledging one of its own captains of industry.

But the devil, as always, is in the details. And in this case, the detail is the proposed use of the surname "Naidu."

For those of us who have grown up with and believe in the foundational principles of the Dravidian movement, this should ring an alarm bell. This isn't a critique of GT Naidu's legacy, which is undoubtedly significant. This is about a fundamental contradiction in our political philosophy.

The Dravidian Antithesis to Caste

The Dravidian movement, in its truest form, is an uncompromising revolt against the hierarchical caste system. Its core mission has been to erase caste identities from the public sphere to foster a truly egalitarian society. Our public spaces—roads, bridges, buildings—are meant to be unifying symbols for all citizens, regardless of birth. When we inscribe them with caste-derived surnames, we inadvertently (or perhaps carelessly) perpetuate the very divisions we claim to be dismantling.

There is a reason this feels intuitively wrong. It’s because it goes against the grain of decades of social justice advocacy in Tamil Nadu.

Honoring the Man, Not the Caste

The solution here is not to scrap the tribute, but to refine it. The intent to honor is correct; the method is flawed.

We can pay a far more dignified tribute to G. T. Naidu, the individual, by focusing on his identity as an industrialist or by using his given names. Imagine:

· The G. T. Memorial Bridge (Simple, personal, and focuses on his initials.)

· The Industrialist G. T. Bridge (Highlighting his professional identity, not his caste.)

· The Govindasamy Thangavelu Memorial Bridge (A full and formal tribute using his given names.

This shift is subtle but profound. It consciously chooses to celebrate personal achievement over inherited social standing. It aligns action with ideology.

For a government that carries the banner of the Dravidian model, this should be a straightforward correction. Our role, as engaged citizens, is not to attack but to remind. We must gently nudge the authorities to uphold their own professed values.

1. Applaud the Intent: "We support the move to honor a great industrialist."

2. Invoke the Principle: "As stalwarts of the Dravidian movement, you know better than anyone that caste names have no place on our public infrastructure."

3. Offer the Solution: "We humbly suggest using 'G.T. Memorial Bridge' as a tribute that honors the man while staying true to our casteless ideals."

This isn't a political attack; it's a call for philosophical consistency. It’s an opportunity for the government to demonstrate that its commitment to social justice is not just rhetorical but is embedded in every policy, every decision, and even the names on our bridges.

This is a conversation worth having. I encourage you to think about it, and if you agree, to use these points in your own circles. Sometimes, the most progressive changes come from gently reminding our leaders of the path they themselves have chosen.

Yours, in solidarity,

பூபதி செ. மாணிக்கம்