Published Sep 17, 2026 | 6:36 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 17, 2026 | 6:36 PM
Annamalai's post irked many of his supporters.
Former BJP state president K Annamalai’s tribute to Dravidian ideologue Periyar on his 147th birth anniversary has ruffled feathers among some of his supporters.
In an X post on September 17, Annamalai shared an image of Periyar along with a caption that hailed the Dravidian leader’s contribution to the political history of Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, Annamalai also mentioned Periyar’s fight against “inequalities and superstitions,” much to the annoyance of his supporters.
“Today marks the birth anniversary of Periyar, who played a pivotal role in social reform movements and left an indelible impact on the social and political history of Tamil Nadu,” Annamalai wrote.
“In remembrance and reverence of Periyar, who dedicated the greater part of his life to combating the inequalities and superstitions prevalent in society,” he added.
சமூக சீர்திருத்தப் போராட்டங்களில் முக்கியப் பங்காற்றி, தமிழகத்தின் சமூக மற்றும் அரசியல் வரலாற்றில் பெரும் தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்திய பெரியார் அவர்களின் பிறந்த தினம் இன்று.
சமூகத்தில் நிலவிய ஏற்றத்தாழ்வுகள் மற்றும் மூடநம்பிக்கைகளுக்கு எதிராக, தனது வாழ்க்கையின் பெரும்பகுதியைச்… pic.twitter.com/tBhJiNioh2
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) September 17, 2026
Annamalai’s post irked many of his supporters, with some expressing strong disappointment in his apparent endorsement of Periyar’s fight against “superstitions.” Others described Annamalai’s remarks as an attempt to appeal to Tamil Nadu’s electorate and broaden his political appeal, following his resignation from the BJP in June 2026 and his announcement of plans to launch a new political movement.
RSS leader Ratan Sharda expressed disappointment in Annamalai’s renewed position on Periyar and commented, “So, the fight with Drivadianists to reclaim real Tamil legacy was only a cover for political ambitions Annamalai ji? Disappointed.”
A self-proclaimed supporter of Annamalai called it a “downfall” of the leader.
“What a downfall, lmao, and to think I was glazing this guy months ago? How pathetic of me,” he wrote on X.
Several others shared the same feeling.
“I’ve been following you since before you entered politics, and for the first time, I’m disappointed in you,” one user commented on Annamalai’s post.
“If you want to do politics in Tamil Nadu, in the end, you have to come and fall at Periyar’s feet just like this!” said another.
Several of his supporters also took offence at Annamalai’s mention of Periyar’s fight against “superstitions.”
“The same EVR who repeatedly called for the complete annihilation of Hinduism? Is that what you call fighting inequalities and superstitions? Talk about a fall from grace,” read a comment to his post.
The same EVR who declared Independence Day as “Mourning Day” for Tamils because British did not give what he begged for – a Dravidastan along the lines of Pakistan for Muslims?
The same EVR who said “To destroy and demolish the Hindu religion, one method is through law and the… pic.twitter.com/LkD4DbtkLK
— Savitri Mumukshu – सावित्री मुमुक्षु (@MumukshuSavitri) September 17, 2026
“You can’t hold a grudge against Periyar while living in Tamil Nadu. You just have to do charanvandan. The sweat of Hindu heart emperors starts pouring out. But yes, BJP supporters shouldn’t take a dig, BJP is many steps ahead in doing obeisance to them,” YouTuber Ajeet Bharti wrote on X.
“Is he trying to say that Hindu Dharma, our Devi Devta, rituals and other dharmic practices are superstitions?” asked a social media user.
Meanwhile, some users also pulled up an earlier video of Annamalai, where he is seen publicly flogging himself outside his residence in Coimbatore. The video is from a protest by Annamalai in December 2024, when he was the BJP state president. He had explained the self-flagellation as part of Tamil tradition and an “offering to Lord Murugan.”
Annamalai’s earlier statements on Periyar, where he openly criticised the social reformer and said he was relevant to only a point in time in Tamil history, are also doing the rounds on social media.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
