Taking aim at what he described as selective criticism under the guise of secularism, Kalyan claimed that a group was trying to provoke Hindus with insults to the deity Murugan.
Published Jun 23, 2025 | 12:03 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 23, 2025 | 12:03 AM
DMK allies alleged that the event was a political platform in disguise for the BJP.
Synopsis: In an address at the Murugan Devotees’ Conference in Madurai on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan condemned what he described as rising insults against Hindu beliefs, and alleged mockery of deities and Hindu traditions under the guise of secularism.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan condemned what he termed “growing insults against Hindu beliefs and deities” during an address at the Murugan Devotees’ Conference in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to a large gathering at the event jointly organised in Madurai on Sunday, 22 June, by the Hindu Munnani and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pawan Kalyan declared:
“Murugan is the first revolutionary leader in the world. It was Murugan who raised me. It was Murugan who gave me courage. Don’t provoke us – when even the gentle are angered, the wild cannot withstand them.”
Taking aim at what he described as selective criticism under the guise of secularism, he said:
“Yet there is a group that mocks deities based on their dark complexion. A group that tries to provoke us by insulting Murugan – the very one who unites us. Some even dare to mock the Kanda Sashti Kavasam. They ridicule my culture, my heritage. And when questioned, they claim this is secularism.”
Ahead of the conference, a petition was filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court by advocate S Vanchinathan, seeking a ban on the event, alleging it was a political meeting disguised as a religious gathering.
The court expressed concern over the blurring lines between religious celebration and political mobilisation, but nevertheless allowed the event to proceed with specific restrictions, including a prohibition on political speeches.
Also present were BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagendran, former Governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai, and Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan, among others.
DMK allies alleged that the event was a political platform in disguise for the BJP, even as the saffron party and the Hindu Munnani maintained it was purely a spiritual gathering for Murugan devotees.
Responding to the criticism, Kalyan said:
“One political party leader asked why don’t you conduct Murugan Conference in Uttar Pradesh? Who are they to mock the faith of others? Who are they to insult Murugan? Can they speak this way about a religion that came from Arabia?”
He continued:
“It’s fine if you don’t respect my religion – but don’t insult it. A Christian can live as a Christian. A Muslim can live as a Muslim. But when a Hindu chooses to live as a Hindu, some people seem to have a problem.”
Though organisers had earlier stated the event would remain apolitical, six key resolutions were passed during the conference. These included:
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
