Tamil superstar Vijay’s entry into politics

In my early days as a reporter in Sri Lanka, a friend and former colleague would attempt to teach me Tamil one-liners from popular movies as we whiled away time in between phone calls. One which I would always struggle with was “Vazhkai oru vattam da, inga jeyikaravan thoppan, thokkuravan jeyippaan.” (roughly translated: Life is a circle, the winner may lose and the loser may win) from Vijay’s 2003 romantic action film Thirumalai. Perhaps Vijay is thinking of these very lines as he prepares for the upcoming election in Tamil Nadu, as his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam takes on the established Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the state. But what are his chances, really? Scroll on to find out. We also have more analysis on the Dhurandhar franchise as a vehicle for propaganda and hate, the latest on India’s assembly elections and more. At Himal, we aim to bring you the latest on politics and culture from across the region. No one covers Southasia like we do, and that’s why you should become a paying supporter, and sign up to our Patrons programme.

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This week in Himal

Composite image of the Tamil actor Vijay in some of his iconic films.

As Tamil Nadu goes to the polls on 23 April, Vignesh Karthik K R writes that Tamil cinema actor Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party are aiming for a grand entrance into politics, but stardom alone may not be able to break the state’s duopoly of Dravidian parties.

Also read: The deceptions and dangers of the ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise

Also read: Himal Interviews: The pluralism and poetry of India’s past

This week in Southasia

Gihan de Chickera

Last week, millions of Indians in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry voted in assembly elections, with West Bengal and Tamil Nadu due to follow suit on 23 April, with the results announced in early May. In West Bengal, the deletion of around 9 million voters from electoral rolls ahead of the state election has dominated discussions. India’s Supreme Court has already refused to allow interim voting rights for those who have appealed being struck off the electoral register. Around 34 percent of the deletions impact Muslim citizens, with the Matua community, a Scheduled Caste community, also impacted. Those deleted include former central government employees and senior citizens who risk losing pension benefits due to being disenfranchised. This will only fuel criticism that the Bharatiya Janata Party has been using the electoral revision process to sway the results in their favour.

The assembly elections are seen as a key litmus test for the BJP as it struggles to make inroads into states where regional parties have historically remained dominant. In West Bengal, the election has been dominated by the All India Trinamool Congress, even with the BJP making gains in 2021. In Tamil Nadu, the primary contest is between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance, and the National Democratic Alliance which includes the BJP. And in Kerala, the ruling Left Democratic Front is seeking a third term in office, with the Congress-led United Democratic Front being the main challenger. All eyes will be on these key states as India goes to the vote.

Read our archive on Dalit history month at www.himalmag.com

Elsewhere in Southasia:

Around 250 Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees missing, feared dead after boat en route to Malaysia capsizes in Andaman sea, nine rescued
Pakistan pledges to return USD 3.5 billion loan to the United Arab Emirates, putting pressure on foreign reserves due to geopolitical pressures after Iran war mediation, Saudi Arabia provides USD 3 billion in support
Dalit student takes his own life after alleged caste-based harassment from faculty, peers in Kerala, India; investigative commission formed after fellow students initiate strike
Gunmen kill at least 11 Shia Muslim picnickers after opening fire at park in Herat, Afghanistan
India begins debate on delimitation bills and women’s quota amidst protests from southern states who fear that lower population growth and stronger economies will cost them seats
Balendra Shah administration forms five-member commission to assess assets of Nepali politicians since 2006 in drive to stamp out corruption
Sri Lanka Energy Minister and Secretary to the Ministry resign, presidential commission appointed to inquire into irregularities into import of coal and electricity generation
At least nine lose their lives in powerplant explosion in Chattisgarh, India, 15 injured
Swedish non-profit files civil class action lawsuit against Norway’s state-owned Telenor company for sharing data of Myanmar activists with military regime, leading to arbitrary arrests, torture and executions
Bollywood star Asha Bhosle, aged 92, passes away, sparking tributes to her legacy
Delhi court instructs police to remove videos of Aam Aadmi Party politician Arvid Kejriwal from social media after he argued for recusal of judge in liquor excise case citing political bias
Sri Lanka repatriates 238 Iranian sailors left stranded for more than a month after US torpedo attack, 15 to stay behind to operate remaining warship anchored in eastern Sri Lanka