Brahmin faces of Naam Tamilar Katchi in electoral fray, a shift from the past

Symbolic acts from political parties often signal an intent to change without disturbing the status quo. Several parties are into the politics of symbolism. For instance, they wax eloquent about empowerment of women and the Scheduled Castes. But it is not showing up in their daily affairs.

Film-maker-turned-politician Seeman’s fledgling Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) is seeking to change this trend. The party has consistently fielded some Scheduled Caste candidates in the general constituencies and an equal number of men and women since it entered electoral politics 10 years ago. Now, the party has gone a step further. It has fielded six Brahmin candidates (four women and two men) in the 2026 Assembly election, proportionate to the community’s perceived population in Tamil Nadu. This has predictably resulted in accusations and counter-accusations. But what has surprised many is that the party has long-term admirers among the Brahmins.

The Hindu spoke to five of the candidates. They had some ideas articulated by Mr. Seeman. Among them are environmental politics and their shared belief in the creation of a Tamil nation.

V. Anusha, a 41-year-old lawyer who is in the fray in T. Nagar, Chennai, said she was drawn to the party, listening to Mr. Seeman acknowledge the contributions of the Brahmins towards the larger Tamil society. “Seeman talks about local administration, importance of agriculture, and protection of natural resources. I was in the legal wing of the BJP, but once I started to know about the NTK’s principles such as fielding an equal number of men and women in the election and giving representation to all communities, I decided to join the party,” she said.

V. Anusha

Ms. Anusha feels that only the NTK offers a real alternative to the two national parties — the BJP and the Congress — and the two major Dravidian parties — the DMK and the AIADMK — which, she believes, are on the same page on most of the issues affecting the people. “Even [TVK leader and actor] Vijay is following in their [Dravidian] footsteps. Competing with each other to give freebies. The AIADMK would give two LPG cylinders and the TVK says it would give six cylinders. What is the difference,” she asked.

R.L. Arun, a Coimbatore-based machine design consultant, who has been fielded in Mylapore, became interested in politics during the jallikattu protests in 2017. “I liked what Seeman Anna (elder brother) was speaking. Until then, I didn’t know what Tamil nationalism was. I started supporting the party on social media whenever it was criticised. In 2023, I joined the party and soon became the IT wing secretary for the Kavundampalayam constituency [in Coimbatore]. I soon started speaking on the stage…,” he said.

R.L. Arun

Arguing that he wanted to help achieve the “liberation” of Tamils, Mr. Arun said, “The Dravidian parties [especially the DMK] thrive on Brahmin hate, and it is true that the Brahmins consider the AIADMK and the BJP as their natural ally. But, in the last 10-15 years, the BJP and the AIADMK are also side-lining the Brahmins. Now, people are slowly recognising that the NTK is accommodative of the Brahmins. It has been fielding Brahmin candidates since 2016. In 2026 too, it has fielded Brahmin candidates… Tamil Brahmins are the Tamils,” he said.

Pointing out that the “Tamil Brahmin community doesn’t indulge in caste killings”, Mr. Arun says, “I consider myself a Tamil nationalist and not a Brahmin. I want to work to achieve Eelam [in Sri Lanka] and I want liberation of Tamils.” In 2009, when he was 38, Kasi Raman, the NTK candidate for Mayiladuthurai, was deeply affected by the indiscriminate killing of the innocent Tamils in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war. “That’s when I started following him [Mr. Seeman]. I would attend the May 18 event he used to organise. I have participated in the Maaverar Naal on November 27. I used to accompany him during protests on various social issues – mainly against methane and ethane extraction in the Cauvery delta region. I was attracted to his environmental politics. His idea that Bhoomi Thai [land] is more important than Saami [god] appealed to me,” he said.

Mr. Kasi Raman was upset at the lack of attention to Mr. Seeman’s politics in the mainstream media, which instead focussed on “actors”. “I sold a house and built temples, refurbished waterbodies, and installed solar lamps. Nature is god. Tamil Siddhars are our guides.”

Sri Vidhya, contesting from Saidapet, said, “The Brahmins are also Tamils,” and that she was attracted to “Seeman’s unique ideology” of treating all communities on an equal footing. “He is giving representation to all communities. We are here as Tamils, not as members of a caste,” she said.

Asked whether she was comfortable with certain ideas of Mr. Seeman, including his stand that only Tamils should rule Tamil Nadu, she says, “We agree that Tamil Nadu should be ruled by Tamils. There is nothing wrong in it. As a family, we do farming in Chengalpattu. So, naturally, we gravitated towards the NTK.”

Revathi, 32, a mother of two, whose husband has been part of the NTK for long, grew fond of the party owing to her love for “Tamil language”. The NTK’s Maduravoyal candidate said the Tamil Brahmins were sidelined in Tamil politics. “In Tamil Nadu, Brahmins are not encouraged in politics. Jayalalithaa [a Brahmin] came up because she was a popular actor and was also known to MGR. At first, my family was against my joining politics. Then, we took our families to NTK meetings. They got convinced over the time. My mother realised how respectful the party members were towards women. I took my three-month-old baby along with my family when candidates were introduced in 2021. My mother was impressed.”

Revathi

Does she feel that the party will get more support from the Brahmins? “There are the rich and the poor in all communities. It is the same among the Brahmins. I am sure more people will support it.”

The Hindu couldn’t reach the NTK candidate for Alandur since she said she was going through a personal loss.

Published – March 22, 2026 11:01 pm IST