Symbolic actions by political parties often signal an intention to change without upsetting the status quo. Several parties are devoted to the politics of symbolism. For example, he speaks eloquently about the empowerment of women and the scheduled castes. But it does not show in their daily affairs.
Filmmaker-turned-politician Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) is trying to change this trend. Since its entry into electoral politics 10 years ago, the party has consistently fielded some scheduled caste candidates in general constituencies and an equal number of men and women. Now the party has gone a step further. It fielded six Brahmin candidates (four women and two men) in the 2026 parliamentary elections, in proportion to the perceived population of the community in Tamil Nadu. This 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 candidates. They had some thoughts expressed by Mr. Seeman. These include environmental politics and their shared belief in the creation of a Tamil nation.
V. Anusha, a 41-year-old struggling lawyer in T. Nagar, Chennai, said she was drawn to the party as she listened to Mr. Seeman acknowledge the contribution of Brahmins to the larger Tamil society. “Seeman talks about local governance, the importance of agriculture and conservation of natural resources. I was in the legal wing of the BJP, but once I heard about the NTK’s principles of fielding equal numbers of men and women in elections and representing all communities, I decided to join the party,” she said.
V. Anusha
Ms. Anusha believes that only the NTK offers a real alternative to the two national parties – the BJP and the Congress – and the two main Dravidian parties – the DMK and the AIADMK – who she believes are on the same page on most issues affecting the people. “Even (TVK leader and actor) Vijay is following their (Dravidian) footsteps. They are competing with each other to give freebies. AIADMK would give two LPG cylinders and TVK says it would give six cylinders. What is the difference,” she asked.
RL Arun, a Coimbatore-based mechanical design consultant who was posted in Mylapore, became interested in politics during the jallikattu protests in 2017. “I liked what Seeman Anna (elder brother) was saying. Till then I didn’t know what Tamil nationalism was. I soon started supporting the party on social media whenever it was criticized and the party was secret. In 2 Kavundampalayam Constituency (in Coimbatore) I he soon started speaking on stage…,” he said.
RL Arun
Arguing that he wanted to help bring about Tamil “liberation”, Mr Arun said: “Dravidian parties (especially DMK) thrive on hatred of Brahmins and it is true that Brahmins see AIADMK and BJP as their natural allies. But in the last 10-15 years, BJP and the party which is now AIADMK are slowly getting to know AIADMK people as well. NTK has been catering to Brahmins since 2016. Also in fielded Brahmin candidates in 2026… Tamil Brahmins are Tamils,” he said.
Pointing out that “the Tamil Brahmin community does not indulge in caste killings”, Mr Arun says: “I consider myself a Tamil nationalist and not a Brahmin. I want to work for Eelam (in Sri Lanka) and I want the liberation of Tamils.” In 2009, at the age of 38, Kasi Raman, the NTK candidate for Mayiladuthurai, was deeply affected by the indiscriminate killing of innocent Tamils in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war. “That’s when I started following him (Mr. Seeman). I attended the May 18 event he organized. I attended the Maaverar Naal on November 27. I accompanied him during protests on various social issues — mainly against methane and ethane mining in the Cauvery delta region. I was attracted to his environmental policy (Thailand (Thailand) is more important than the Bho ja appeal),” he said.
Mr. Kasi Raman was angry at the lack of attention to Mr. Seeman’s politics in the mainstream media, which instead focused on the “actor”. “I sold the house and built temples, renovated water bodies and installed solar lamps. Nature is god. The Tamil Siddhars are our guides.”
Sri Vidhya, a contestant from Saidapet, said, “Brahmins are also Tamils” and that she was attracted to “Seeman’s unique ideology” of treating all communities equally. “It represents all communities. We are here as Tamils, not as caste members,” she said.
When asked if she was comfortable with certain ideas of Mr. Seeman, including his position that Tamil Nadu should only be ruled by Tamils, she said: “We agree that Tamil Nadu should be ruled by Tamils. There is nothing wrong with that. We farm as a family in Chengalpattu. So we naturally gravitated towards NTK.”
32-year-old Revathi, a mother of two whose husband has been part of NTK for a long time, endeared herself to the party with her love for ‘Tamil’. NTK candidate Maduravoyal said Tamil Brahmins have been sidelined in Tamil politics. “In Tamil Nadu, Brahmins are not supported in politics. Jayalalithaa (a Brahmin) came because she was a popular actor and MGR knew her. My family was initially against my entry into politics. Then we took our families to NTK meetings. Over time, they became convinced. My mother realized how respectful the party members were to women. My mother was introduced with a child in 201. Impression.”
Revathi
Does he feel that the party will get more support from the Brahmins? “In all communities there are rich and poor. It is the same among Brahmins. I am sure more people will support it.”
The Hindu could not reach the NTK candidate for Alandur as she said she was going through a personal loss.
Published – 22 March 2026 23:01 IST
