The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its alliance partner Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) criticized Governor Rajendra Arlikar for honoring Tamil poet and saint Thiruvalluvar in saffron attire at a Lok Bhavan event in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, unlike the original photo in a white robe.
On Saturday, Arlekar Thiruvalluvar chaired the Thirunaal Vizha (Vaikasi Anusham Valluvar Thirunaal) organized by Thiruvalluvar Thirunaal Kazhagam, at Lok Bhavan. He did floral tribute to the image of Thiruvalluvar in the saffron outfit as opposed to the original image in the white robe.
DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed that the ruler was testing the self-esteem of Tamils once again with his action.
“The Tamil Nadu government officially celebrates Thiruvalluvar Day in January. However, where did this new fabrication come from claiming that Vaikasi Anusham is Thiruvalluvar Day,” Udhayanidhi said in a social media post.
“During the DMK regime, when the then governor (RN Ravi) tried a similar stunt, we strongly condemned it. Now, they are testing the self-respect of Tamils again,” the former deputy chief minister said and shared pictures of the poet-saint.
“My strongest condemnation of the fascists who insult Valluvar – and of the Sofa model government that allows it. Just like pleading with Delhi for permission to sing the Tamil-Thai anthem first, the Prime Minister should not cower in fear on this issue either.” He claimed.
“If the Prime Minister is silent on law and order issues, then why is he also hesitant to denounce the injustice of ideological enemies who are painting Valluvar saffron? #Thiruvalluvar,” Udhayanidhi asked.
TVK said Thiruvalluvar is a person who “gifted the world the universal code of conduct (Ulaga Podhumarai)” and confining him within a narrow circle or specific identity is tantamount to insulting his universal ideals.
“For Thiruvalluvar to be dressed in saffron attire at Lok Bhavan is wrong. He has never restricted himself to any particular religion, caste or ethnicity. He speaks of the universal principles of life meant for all humanity,” TVK Publicity General Secretary and Health Minister Dr KG Arunraj said.
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He added: “When Thiruvalluvar presents himself as a global figure, painting him in a color that is considered the identity of a particular religion contradicts his global philosophy.”
Stressing that Thiruvalluvar teaches equality through the phrase: “Pirappokkum Ella Uyirkkum” (All living beings are equal by birth), Arunraj said, “Trying to confine Thiruvalluvar within a particular color is like trying to contain the ocean inside a bowl.”
“Thiruvalluvar is a great light guiding all the people of the world. Smearing him with saffron and trying to gain political gains from him is unacceptable in every way.” He added.
“It is an unforgivable act and the Governor believes that Tamil Nadu is something that can be taken for granted,” MDMK chief Vaiko said.
Reacting to the comments made by political leaders, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said saffron is not the color of one religion, but the color of the nation.
“It is a symbol of purity, an embodiment of our culture, a symbol of sacrifice and a sign of courage,” said Narayanan Thirupathi, BJP spokesperson.
He urged leaders to stop confining saffron to a narrow circle, without knowing its pride or understanding its value.
“Saffron is our nation. Thiruvalluvar is also saffron. Every person in this nation is saffron,” he said.
In 2024, a similar controversy surfaced under then Governor RN Ravi who faced criticism for using an image of Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes during an event at Lok Bhavan. Many leaders targeted the governor for trying to inculcate religious politics.
