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NDTV
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Was Ignored": Tamil Nadu Congress Chief Alleges Discrimination During Temple Ritual
Chennai: In what is being seen as a case of caste-based discrimination, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President and Sriperumbudur MLA K Selvaperunthagai has alleged that he was deliberately sidelined during the consecration ceremony of the 1000-year-old Vallakottai Murugan temple in his own constituency. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, the Dalit legislator said he was neither received by officials nor allowed into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. "I couldn't even see the deity," he said. He further alleged that the ceremonial temple flag, traditionally handed to an elected representative during the event, was instead given to another MLA who is not from a Dalit community. "I was invited as the chief guest and asked to come at 8:30 AM. I arrived at 8:25 AM. Still, no one came to receive me. I was ignored," said K Selvaperunthagai. The Congress leader made it clear he is not blaming the government or Chief Minister M K Stalin. He added that the Chief Minister has been actively promoting social justice, pointing to the recent renaming of Backward Class hostels as "Social Justice Hostels" as an example of inclusive governance. "Even MLAs and MPs from Dalit communities face discrimination by some officials. I don't hold the Chief Minister responsible for the mistakes of one or two individuals," he told NDTV. Mr Selvaperunthagai also strongly condemned former Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan for suggesting that he had waited for a VIP darshan. "That is completely false," he said, adding that he was happy the former Governor was given proper respect, but that shouldn't have come at the cost of ignoring an elected representative. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has condemned the incident and demanded an investigation and strict action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Officials associated with temple administration have denied the allegations, calling the incident a case of miscommunication. The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister is reported to have met Mr Selvaperunthagai following the incident. For a specific question on why the temple flag was not given to the local MLA but to another lawmaker, the officer downplayed saying "The flag is neither important nor prestigious". Despite public calls for a formal complaint, the Congress leader and ally of the ruling DMK has said he will not file one, trusting that the Chief Minister will act fairly. "I leave it to the people and the Chief Minister to judge," he said. This incident has stirred debate around caste-based practices and the dignity of elected representatives from marginalised communities in state-run religious institutions.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
I was disrespected at temple: Selvaperunthagai
Chennai: TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai on Tuesday said he was treated with disrespect at the Vallakottai Murugan temple consecration in Kancheepuram despite arriving on time. The DMK allies called for action against HR&CE officials while minister P K Sekarbabu visited the Congress leader and assured action. "The minister expressed regret for the incident," Selvaperunthagai said. The controversy related to the consecration ceremony of the temple, which took place after 17 years. Former Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundarajan, Selvaperunthagai, and DMK (Anna Nagar) MLA M K Mohan were among those in attendance. Selvaperunthagai said he wasn't treated with the respect an elected representative deserved. "It is customary for the elected representatives to flag off the temple consecration ceremony by standing on top of the Temple Vimana, and it happens that way in all temple festivals. But during this festival, the HR&CE officials flagged it off. Similarly, there was no one to even guide me and take me to the appropriate places. None of the protocols were followed," he told TOI. Sources in the HR&CE department said officials concerned submitted a report to the higher-ups saying the Congress leader arrived late and missed the prayers, despite priests waiting for him for 30 minutes. Selvaperunthagai denied these accusations. "I was asked to come at 8.30am, and I reached the temple at 8.15am. I was waiting in the temple storeroom to participate in the prayers, but there was no one there to accompany me because of which I had to leave. Some have an ancient mindset." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai DMK allies including CPI, CPM, and VCK condemned the treatment, and demanded action against the officials. CPI state secretary R Mutharasan said, "This is against social justice, and stringent action should be taken against officials who are responsible for the incident." CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said Selvaperunthagai's caste (SC), was the reason for the alleged discrimination. VCK MP D Ravikumar called for abolition of discrimination in temples.
India Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Video: Children toy, shoot reels with 15-foot-long python in UP's Bulandshahr
2:38 The Tamil Nadu Congress chief, K Selvaperunthagai, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste, was reportedly prevented from participating in the Kumbh Abhishekam rituals. The incident occurred when Selvaperundagai attempted to take part in the holy water offering ceremony.
India Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu Congress chief stopped from taking part in Kancheepuram temple ritual
Tamil Nadu Congress state president and Sriperumbudur MLA K Selvaperunthagai was allegedly prevented by temple authorities from participating in the 'kumbhabhishekam' rituals at the Vallakottai Murugan temple in 'kumbhabhishekam', a consecration ritual conducted after 17 years, marked the end of four years of temple renovation. He alleged that while he was stopped, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan was allowed to perform the holy water Soundararajan was taken to the main tower to perform the 'kudamuzhuku' — the pouring of holy water on the kalasam — Selvaperunthagai was stopped initially. After his supporters raised objections, he was later permitted to approach the tower, but was reportedly halted again by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) officials before participating in the actual ritual. He was also not handed the temple flag, a symbolic honour. 'The 'kudamuzhuku' festival went well and my congratulations. Lakhs visited Thiruchendur temple, and I went there under the supervision of the minister. But officials' apathy was visible. We don't know who is controlling whom,' said Selvaperunthagai later, expressing disappointment at the added that although the situation was handled peacefully, the incident highlighted deeper systemic issues: 'This is a 2000-year-old issue and it can't be settled overnight. Officials did it and we stood with people and watched. I don't want to say anything that affects the Chief Minister or the minister's (PK Sekarbabu) good name.'Selvaperunthagai, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, said he was not allowed to see the deity and had to leave for another engagement.'Officials should behave like officials. That is the problem. I don't know why they stopped me and didn't allow me,' he remarked.- EndsMust Watch
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNCC chief's pitch to include PMK in alliance triggers dissent in Congress
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai's remarks in an interview to TNIE on Friday, reiterating his preference for the inclusion of PMK in the DMK-led INDIA bloc for the 2026 Assembly polls, have drawn sharp criticism from within the Congress and its ally VCK. While Congress MP Manickam Tagore questioned how a party that has consistently supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014 could be considered for alliance, VCK deputy general secretary and Villupuram MP D Ravikumar urged the AICC to clarify whether Selvaperunthagai's statement had the approval of the party's high command. He also said the TNCC chief's remarks gave the impression that the current DMK-led alliance lacked strength. In the interview, Selvaperunthagai said his view stemmed from the need for greater unity between Dalits and OBCs. On VCK's opposition to such an alliance, he said the VCK has the right to decide what is good for the party. Tagore, in a post on X, said without naming Selvaperunthagai, 'How can you want a party that stood with Modi since 2014 to be your ally? Why hurt those who have stood with us and support Rahul Gandhi in every battle?' 'This cannot be a party decision- it appears to be purely personal,' he said, with a hashtag 'StandWithTrueFriends'.
