'Didn't Limit Himself to Any Religion': Tamil Nadu Minister Slams Governor for 'Saffronising' Tiruvalluvar
New Delhi: In opposition to Tamil Nadu governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's comments about Tiruvalluvar and the image of the saint-poet dressed in saffron in Lok Bhavan, state health minister Dr K.G. Arunraj said that Tiruvalluvar cannot be tied down to one religion or political group. Besides the TVK leader, members of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TaVK) and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) also condemned the governor's remarks.
Arunraj on Saturday said in a post on X, "Thiruvalluvar is a universal figure. To confine him to a narrow circle or a specific identity is tantamount to belittling his universal thoughts. It is wrong to dress Thiruvalluvar in saffron in Lok Bhavan (or any government/public place)."
"Thiruvalluvar did not limit himself to any religion, caste, race or country. His Tirukkural speaks of the common values of life for the entire human race. In the very first chapter of the Tirukkural, he used general terms like ‘Adi Bhagavan’, ‘Malarmisai Ekinan’, and ‘Aravazhi Anthanan’, but did not mention the name of any specific religious god. While he positions himself as a layman, it is contrary to his universal philosophy to paint him with a colour that is seen as a symbol of a particular religion. What Valluvar taught us was the equality of "birth and all life". Trying to confine Valluvar to a particular colour is like trying to confine the ocean to a pot. He is a guiding light for all the people of the world. Applying saffron to him and trying to gain political advantage through it is in no way acceptable," he added.
On Friday, Arlekar paid floral tributes to portraits of Thiruvalluvar and Bharat Mata at Bharatiyar Hall in Raj Bhavan to mark Vaikasi Anusham, believed to be the birth star of Thiruvalluvar.
“Even those who do not believe in Sanatan traditions bow before Thiruvalluvar. That is the strength of Thiruvalluvar,” he said at the event. Further, Arlekar suggested that the word “Sanatan” means eternal and ever new, adding Thiruvalluvar’s ideas and teachings "have neither a beginning nor an end and therefore remain relevant to humanity at all times."
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Before Arunraj shared his views on the governor's act, earlier on Saturday DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin slammed Arlekar for attempting to saffronise Thiruvalluvar and hit out at the TVK government in the state for the alleged "inaction".
Udhayanidhi underlined that the Tamil Nadu government officially celebrates Thiruvalluvar Day in January questioning "where did this new invention of “Vaikasi Anusham Thiruvalluvar Day” suddenly come from?"
"When a previous governor did the same kind of thing during DMK rule, we strongly condemned it and corrected the Sanghis (right-wing/Hindutva elements). Now they are once again testing the self-respect of Tamils. My strong condemnation to the fascists who insult Valluvar — and to the #SofaModel government that allows it," the DMK leader said in a post on X.
"The chief minister is silent on the issue of law and order, why does he hesitate to even point out the injustice of the saffron paint being applied to Valluvar by his political enemies?" he asked.
In his post on X, CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam hit out at the governor for calling Tiruvalluvar a 'Sanatani'.
"The Tamil Nadu governor's statement, which defines Thiruvalluvar—who emphasised equality by saying "All life is born equal"—as a Sanathani, deserves severe condemnation. Portraying Valluvar as one who wears saffron robes, without belonging to any religion, is an act that insults him. Governor Arlekar must apologise to the people of Tamil Nadu for this action," Shanmugam wrote.
Similarly, MDMK's Vaiko was quoted as saying, "The governor's portrayal of Tiruvalluvar in saffron attire is an utter disgrace. It is an unforgivable act."
TaVK founder Velmurugan also wrote on X that Thiruvalluvar does not belong to any religion, caste, or political ideology.
"Under the name of Vaikasi Anusham, staging an event that depicts the universal moral father of Tamils, Thiruvalluvar, confined within religious and political identities, portraying him in the guise of wearing saffron-coloured attire, has caused immense shock and pain," Velmurugan wrote.
He added, "Thiruvalluvar does not belong to any religion, caste, or political ideology. He stands as the ethical voice of the entire humankind. Attempting to transform such a Thiruvalluvar into the identity of a specific doctrine is a deliberate attack on Tamil history, culture, and intellectual tradition. The governor, who has been continuously interfering in Tamil Nadu's political, educational, linguistic, and cultural affairs, creating controversies, has now altered Thiruvalluvar's very image itself, wounding the sentiments of Tamils—an act that is unacceptable. No attempt to alter and reshape the historical identities of Tamil Nadu can be permitted."
Further, Velmurugan said the governor should publicly apologise to the people of Tamil Nadu for his actions and provide an assurance that such cultural overreaches will not be repeated in the future.
"The Tamil Nadu government must not treat this matter lightly or watch it as a joke. Protecting the cultural rights and historical identities of Tamils is the duty of the government. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu government must officially condemn this act and register its opposition. Moreover, it is essential to take political and legal actions against anyone—regardless of who they are or what position they hold—who acts against the sentiments of the state," he wrote.
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