Annamalai tones down on removing Periyar statues; says BJP will only relocate those near temples

“When the BJP comes to power, we will replace the Periyar statues in some other places, by giving all due respect to the leader. The teaching of Periyar can be in a public place. But his atheist ideology should not be placed in front of temples, where believers gather,” he said.

“In renowned temples like the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, we will install the statues of Muthuramalinga Thevar and Vaithiyanatha Iyer. Those leaders proclaimed that all were entitled to enter the temples irrespective of their caste. Let people enter the temple by seeing their statues and recall their ideologies,” he further stated

‘Annamalai’s remarks will reflect in polls’

Speaking to South First, retired political science professor K Shanthalingam said it was usual for political leaders to say a thing on a day and to retract it the next day.

DMK founder and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai (left) with social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy. (Creative Commons)

“But as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, Periyar is not a leader. People see him as a reformist. Only because of his atheist ideologies, he cannot be neglected. People have understood this very well,” he said.

EV Ramasamy — revered as Thanthai Periyar — is the Father of the Dravidian movement.

“Periyar, throughout his life, questioned obscurantism and superstitions, not only in Hinduism but in all religions. That is the reason he has been identified as a tall Dravidian stalwart. Whether you are a believer or an atheist, people in Tamil Nadu will not tolerate the belittling of Periyar,” the professor said.

He further stated that referring to Periyar’s ideologies would reflect in the elections. “Annamalai knows it well,” Shanthalingam said.

Related: Annamalai vows to remove statues of Thanthai Periyar

Periyar — inseparable from Tamil Nadu

A Rangarajan, a former journalist said that Periyar is inseparable in Tamil Nadu’s socio-political space.

“All parties, irrespective of whatever ideologies they have, can never ignore Periyar. The atheist ideology of Periyar is not new to the people of Tamil Nadu. But belittling Periyar due to his opinion of God and religion will not be tolerated by the people,” Rangarajan said.

“Unlike other BJP leaders, being from an OBC community, Annamalai is aware of the consequences of touching Thanthai Periyar. Annamalai is trying to make the BJP a commoners’ party, which was once portrayed as a party of Brahmins. Since elections are nearing, the major Dravidian parties — the DMK, and the AIADMK — will highlight Annamalai’s stand, and it will politically boomerang on the BJP,” he said.

S Vaideeswaran, a BJP functionary in Tiruchy welcomed Annamalai’s latest statement.

“The media is blowing it out of proportion. What was written in the Periyar statue in front of the Srirangam Temple is ‘He who created God is a fool, He who propagates God is a scoundrel, and he who worships God is a barbarian’. Have you seen any such boards or statues in front of churches or mosques, anywhere in Tamil Nadu? Why only in front of Hindu temples,” he asked.

“Our leader (Annamalai) had once said that he appreciated other ideologies of Periyar except those against God and religion. We stand by it. We are not against installing his statue in other places.”

Also read: Police remove BJP flagpole on govt land near Annamalai’s house

Unnecessary comments: AIADMK

AIADMK senior leader and former Minister Sellur K Raju said that Annamalai was making unnecessary comments.

When asked his opinion about Annamalai’s statement, the former minister said, “Let the BJP come to power first.”

He further said the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister PK Sekar Babu has been performing his duties well.

Addressing a rally at Srirangam in the Trichy district on Tuesday, Annamalai said the BJP would abolish the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, once it comes to power.