Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai reignited an old debate on Friday by paying tribute to the celebrated Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar using portraits depicting him in saffron robes with holy ash markings, diverging from the state government’s official image, which shows the saint in plain white attire. The occasion coincided with Thiruvalluvar Day, part of Tamil Nadu’s Pongal festival celebrations, which marks the birth anniversary of the revered poet-philosopher.
Divergent Portrayals Spark Political Row
The BJP’s choice of imagery contrasted sharply with that of the DMK-led state government, which maintains a neutral depiction of Thiruvalluvar in white robes without religious markings. This difference in portrayal has historically been a source of friction between the two parties, with the DMK accusing the BJP of saffronising cultural figures.
Shah posted on X:
“On Thiruvalluvar day, I offer my solemn tributes to the great sage. Thiruvalluvar Ji’s life and works epitomised the highest virtues of our civilisation and illuminated the path to pious life and harmonious society. His legacy will continue to guide us on our journey to greatness,” accompanied by the saffron-clad portrait.
Similarly, Annamalai shared:
“May the Thirukkural, which guides us across all eras, shine as a guiding light in everyone’s life. May the glory of Tamil and the fame of the Thirukkural spread across the world,” with a matching saffron depiction.
By contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute without using any image, posting a one-minute visual highlighting his visit to Thiruvalluvar’s giant statue in Tamil Nadu and praising the saint-philosopher’s vision. Modi said:
“He believed in a society that is harmonious and compassionate. He personifies the best of Tamil culture. I urge you all to read the Tirukkural, which gives a glimpse of the outstanding intellect of the great Thiruvalluvar.”
State Politics and Symbolism
The AIADMK, BJP’s ally in Tamil Nadu, adhered to the state-approved depiction of Thiruvalluvar, in white robes without ash. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami stated:
“Thiruvalluvar presented the wisdom spoken in Tamil as a universal scripture for the world.”
A DMK leader highlighted that the official image of Thiruvalluvar was approved by the Tamil Nadu government in consultation with Tamil scholars, underscoring that deviation from it by certain BJP leaders is a political move. The DMK leader added, “Because of such acts, they are not succeeding in Tamil Nadu.”
DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also paid homage using the white-robed, unmarked image, reiterating his party’s stance against what he described as BJP attempts to saffronise everything. He emphasized that no political entity can taint Thiruvalluvar’s vision of social justice.
Historical Context
This is not the first time the BJP has stirred debate over Thiruvalluvar’s imagery. Last year, Annamalai and Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi had posted saffron-clad images, while Modi and Shah adhered to the state-sanctioned white-robed depiction. Critics argue that such actions are deliberate attempts to politicise cultural symbols, while the BJP maintains that their tributes reflect the saint’s spiritual legacy.
The controversy underscores the sensitivity around regional icons in Tamil Nadu, where symbols like Thiruvalluvar are closely tied to Tamil identity, language, and heritage. Observers note that deviations from accepted cultural representations often provoke sharp political reactions in the state.
Public and Political Reactions
The contrasting tributes have sparked debate on social media, with DMK supporters criticizing the saffron portrayal as culturally inappropriate, while BJP supporters defended it as an expression of spiritual reverence. Analysts say the incident reflects the broader political contestation over identity and symbolism in Tamil Nadu, especially during festival seasons like Pongal when public attention is high.
In summary, while Thiruvalluvar Day is traditionally a cultural and literary celebration, the BJP’s use of saffron imagery has reignited political tensions with the DMK, highlighting the ongoing struggle over symbolism, regional identity, and political messaging in the state.
Leave a Reply