Chennai, ruling TVK and opposition DMK have criticized the Lok Bhavan which depicts Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar in saffron attire, unlike the officially sanctioned picture in which he is shown in a white cloth.
The criticism began after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlikar praised Thiruvalluvar’s photo in saffron robes at Lok Bhavan during the ‘Vaikasi Anusham’ celebration on May 30.
In a strong reaction, Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Arunraj condemned the saffron presentation of the poet, stating that any attempt to confine the global philosopher to a narrow identity is tantamount to belittling his global vision.
“Wearing Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes in Lok Bhavan or in any government or public place is fundamentally wrong. Thiruvalluvar has not restricted himself to any religion, caste, race or nation. His book ‘Tirukkural’ provides a common code of life for all humanity,” Dr Arunraj posted on his official X account.
He pointed out that even in the chapter ‘Kadavul Vazhthu’, the poet carefully used neutral universal descriptions like ‘Adi Bhagavan’, ‘Malarmisai Yeginan’, ‘Aravaazhi Andhanan’ rather than specific names of deities belonging to any particular religion.
“When he has established himself as a global figure, painting him in a color specific to a particular religion is against his universal philosophy. Valluvar has taught us equality of all by birth. Trying to trap him within a particular color is like trying to trap the ocean inside a vessel. Painting him with saffron for political purposes is absolutely unacceptable,” the TVK leader added, urging the leaders to follow the path shown by Coral instead of changing the color of his clothes.
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin also launched a two-pronged scathing attack, targeting both the saffron icon at Lok Bhavan and the alleged “inaction” of the new TVK government headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Udhayanidhi claimed that the Governor’s Palace encouraged itself to repaint Thiruvalluvar with saffron only because the incumbent chief minister always remains ‘silent’.
“They have saffron painted Thiruvalluvar at the Governor’s residence once again and are working on the confidence that the incumbent chief minister is always on ‘silent’ mode,” Udhayanidhi said in his X post.
The DMK leader also questioned the shift away from the state’s traditional calendar. “The Tamil Nadu government officially celebrates Thiruvalluvar Day in January. Where did this new concoction come from to celebrate it on ‘Vaikasi Anusham’?” question.
Recalling the legacy of the previous DMK administration, Udhayanidhi asserted, “During the DMK regime, we strongly condemned the then ruler when he tried to pull a similar stunt. Now, they are once again testing the self-respect of the Tamil people.” PTI
JR Asian Development Bank
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