Here's why he is compared to Jean-Jacques Rousseau:
* Advocacy for social justice and equality: Both Bharathiyar and Rousseau were strong advocates for social justice, equality, and freedom. Bharathiyar wrote passionately about the plight of the oppressed and the need for a just society, much like Rousseau in his writings.
* Emphasis on individual freedom and natural rights: Both figures believed in the inherent value of the individual and their natural rights. Bharathiyar championed the idea of individual freedom and self-determination, which echoed Rousseau's concepts.
* Influence on national movements: Both Rousseau's writings and Bharathiyar's poems had a profound influence on the national movements of their respective times. Rousseau's ideas inspired the French Revolution, while Bharathiyar's writings played a vital role in the Indian Independence Movement.
While the comparison isn't perfect, the similarities in their ideologies and impact on social movements make Bharathiyar a fitting candidate for the title of the "Rousseau of Tamil Nadu."