of the Tamil society which include the need to unite the Adi Dravidas and oppressed sections of the backward castes on the basis of their shared experience of economic and socio-cultural exploitation, the heed to counter the resurgence of Brahmin ism in the guise of Hindu right wing political outfits such as the BJP, the RSS and the Hindu Munnani, and the need to safeguard the cultural and linguistic rights of the Tamil people from the homogenising onslaught of the centre. The non-Brahmin elites in question are the ones who, at the local level systematically fatten themselves by pillaging the Adi Dravidas and the poorer sections of the backward castes, both economically and socio-culturally. To expect them to carry forward the agenda of Adi Dravida- lower Sudra unity is to expect the impossible. Similarly, these are precisely the sections, which, given their economic ascendency, are searching for cultural supremacy by backing the forces of Hindutva in the state. The elite sections of the Nadars, Kallars, Goundcrs and others are actively participating in the present phase of Brahminica) revival which has now adopted a more inclusive strategy in terms of caste. What is more, they, with their recently acquired economic and socio-cultural strengths, are finding it possible to express a pan-Indian desire, which is partly reflected in their drift towards the Hindu right. Such pan-Indian desire is already acting as an important constraint for taking up issues such as the imposition of Hindi by the union government.
