Latest news with #MurugaBhaktargal
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Fake spirituality' of BJP will not work in Tamil Nadu, says Chief Minister M.K. Stalin
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday said the 'fake spirituality' propagated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu would not work, since the State is the land of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and Dravidian stalwarts and former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi. He asserted that Tamil Nadu was a place where people respected all religions. Speaking at a function held to distribute government welfare assistance and launch other initiatives in the Yelagiri foothills, he said the DMK had been highlighting the dip in national economic growth, which directly affected employment generation, especially among educated youth. 'We (DMK) are concerned about people's welfare in terms of job creation and economic growth. In contrast, the BJP and its allies in Tamil Nadu are more concerned about religion. For political mileage, the BJP is misusing God's name in the State,' he alleged. Mr. Stalin said around 3,000 temples had been consecrated and ₹86 crore allocated for the restoration of churches and mosques in the State since the DMK assumed power in May 2021. 'The BJP plays videos against Dravidian leaders such as Periyar and Annadurai — as seen during the Muruga Bhaktargal (devotees) conference in Madurai — but the AIADMK watches silently, with folded hands. Today, they (AIADMK) have pledged their party with the BJP. Tomorrow, they might even pledge the people of Tamil Nadu with the BJP. We will not let that happen,' he said. Highlighting the reasons for Tamil Nadu's sustained growth, Mr. Stalin said development in all districts — not just Chennai and its surroundings — remained key to the State's overall progress. He added that regular field inspections help him understand ground realities better. 'The large crowds that gather to greet me during such visits reinforce my belief that the DMK will not only win the 2026 Assembly election but also all future polls,' he said. On the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Stalin assured those left out during the initial phase of enrolment that a census was being conducted to identify eligible beneficiaries. New beneficiaries will be announced in August or September, he said. Ministers Duraimurugan, E.V. Velu, and R. Gandhi; MPs D.M. Kathir Anand (Vellore) and C.N. Annadurai (Tiruvannamalai); Tirupattur Collector K. Sivasoundaravalli were among those present.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP defends video screened at Hindu Munnani's Muruga Bhakthargal conference as critique of atheism
Amid controversy over an audio-visual presentation about the history of Hindu Munnani screened during the outfit's Muruga Bhaktargal conference in Madurai on Sunday, which reportedly portrayed Dravidian stalwarts Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, C.N. Annadurai, and M. Karunanidhi in a poor light, the Tamil Nadu BJP has defended the video, calling it a critique of atheism. BJP State vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy said, 'The Muruga Bhaktargal conference was a Hindu Munnani platform and not a political event. The leaders shown in the video were atheists. That is a fact and one cannot deny that. What is wrong in showing what happened in the past and the history of Hindu Munnani?' When asked about concerns raised by the AIADMK, the BJP's ally, whose leaders participated in the conference and later condemned the screening of the video, he said: 'The video should be taken as criticism of atheism, not individuals. There is no disruption in our alliance. Using this, there is an attempt by some vested interests to divide the NDA. They will not succeed.' He added the BJP's relationship with its allies, remains 'unaffected and strong.' Though Periyar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Karl Marx are hailed as the party's ideological leaders, Pattali Makkal Katchi didn't want to formally respond to the issue. However, it is understood the party views the issue as an attack on Dravidian parties, not as an attack on Periyar's ideology of social justice and equality.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"No one should be allowed to destroy our cultural symbols": BJP's Annamalai at TN Muruga conference
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 23 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K Annamalai, has said that no one should be allowed to destroy the country's cultural symbols, adding that there should not be any religious conversion from Hinduism. Addressing the Muruga Bhaktargal conference organised by Hindu Munnani on Sundayin Madurai, Annamalai said that there should be no disturbance to our way of life. Our children should be able to go to school boldly, wearing thiruneer (sacred ash). 'From now on, no one should be allowed to destroy our cultural symbols. People should not convert to other religions, and those who have converted must be brought back to our religion,' the former BJP chief for Tamil Nadu said. 'Jews, who make up just 0.2 per cent of the world population, are engaged in conflicts with four countries merely because others are interfering with their way of life. That nation (Israel) has shut down schools and taken hospitals underground. Israel is standing firm, saying, 'If our way of life is disturbed, we will fight.' On April 22, in Jammu and Kashmir, 26 people were shot dead simply because they followed the Hindu religion. We launched an attack in retaliation. But for some people, even this has become a problem,' the former BJP president said. He said that the primary purpose of this conference is to inspire every Hindu to rise and follow the way of life practised by our ancestors, while adding that Hinduism is the majority religion in only two countries. 'Through the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, 44,000 temples in Tamil Nadu are being managed. Not only that, there are 340 temples that are over a thousand years old. But there is no proper discipline or system there. The treatment is different for those who have money and for those who don't. All of this needs to change,' he stated. 'Those who come to power by securing Hindu votes are now mocking the religion. They are playing politics based on the belief that Hindus will never unite. We must break and disprove that belief,' he said. (ANI)
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Massive turnout at Muruga Bhaktargal meet, a warning bell to those in power: Annamalai
The massive turnout of Hindus at Muruga Bhaktargal conference is a warning bell to those in power, said BJP leader, K. Annamalai. Addressing the conference organised by Hindu Munnani here on Sunday, he said each abode of Lord Murugan has a different message of love, knowledge, married life, victory over evil (soorasamharam) and peace. 'It is those in power who should decide as to in which form they want to see the Hindus,' he said. Hindus usually forgive people, who trouble them in a small way or big way. 'However, the Hindus are continuously facing trouble in their way of life. Political leaders, who come to power with the votes of Hindus, speak in derogatory language against the Hindus, as they believe that Hindus would never get united,' he added. 'Our children should be able to use holy ash on their foreheads and wear 'rudraksha mala' to schools. These troubles need such a conference,' he added. Jews, who are only 0.2% of the world population were fighting against four nations for their rights. However, when India fights against cross-border terrorism, it is criticised by political leaders, he said. BJP State president, Nainar Nagendran said that despite all hurdles created against the conduct of the conference it has turned out to be a grand success with lakhs of people turning up. He also enthused the crowd by singing verses from the famous devotional song on Lord Murugan, 'Marudhamalai Maamaniye' sung by Madurai Somu. Untouchability led to Hindu fragmentation: Untouchability among the Hindus was the major reason for the Hindu religion to get fragmented, said RSS leader, R. Vanniarajan. He said that ancient Hindus celebrated the entire world as a single family with philosophies like 'Yaathum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir,' and the people are children of Mother Earth. Women were celebrated as mothers. However, a disorder crept into the Hindu society in the form of untouchability and discrimination and it led to the biggest fall of the Hindus. He said that the Hindus should realise that only unity among the Hindus would make the people stronger. The RSS believes that Untouchability was a sin and it should be uprooted to make the Hindus unite. 'It should begin from within,' he added. He also pointed out that the temples in thousands of villages should be opened to all community to offer prayers. Similarly, the cremation yard and waterbodies should be common to all. Hindu Munnani leader Bhaktavachalam said that while in the entire country, the Hindus worshipped God together, and whenever there was some trouble for the temple, they fight unitedly. However, in Tamil Nadu, people offer prayers separately. '(Hindus in) Tamil Nadu have bhakthi, but no shakthi,' he said. 'The objective of this conference is to make people of Tamil Nadu to worship together at least once in a month by reciting Kandha Sashti Kavasam,' he said.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Edappadi K. Palaniswami echoes Amit Shah's concern that mother tongue sidelined in favour of English
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday (June 21, 2025) echoed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's concern that the mother tongue is being sidelined in favour of English. Responding to Mr. Shah's recent remark that English-speaking Indians may soon feel ashamed, Mr. Palaniswami said the mother tongue holds an important place in society and added that everybody has their own views. 'He has spoken about the importance of the mother tongue. His concern is that more importance is being given to English than to native languages,' Mr. Palaniswami told reporters at the Coimbatore airport. On the Keezhadi excavations, Mr. Palaniswami said the party had already explained its role. 'IT Wing secretary K. Pandiarajan has detailed the steps taken during the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and by the government that followed. All necessary clarifications were provided,' he said. Asked about the Muruga Bhaktargal conference being held in Madurai, he said, 'In a democratic country, every citizen and organisation has the right to worship the deity of their choice. Those organising the Muruga Bhaktargal conference are exercising that right. I extend my wishes.' On allegations that DMK functionaries used obscene language in public, Mr. Palaniswami said, 'We have already condemned such remarks. People are disturbed by them. In the 2026 Assembly elections, people will give a fitting response.' On International Yoga Day, he said, 'Yoga is important for physical health. The Prime Minister Modi is leading these efforts. I extend my greetings.'
