Upping the ante against Madurai Adheenam, the DMK, in its mouthpiece ‘Murasoli‘( 10th June), has issued threats to the Saivite Mutt seer Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Swamigal in light of his recent comments against the ruling DMK regime.
Murasoli, quoting a Tamil proverb, equated the pontiff with a frog, saying that the Madurai Adheenam head, through his speeches and activities, is spoiling himself just like how a frog invites the attention of the predators with its croaks. It warned him that “Stalin is more dangerous than Karunanidhi”. It said, “ his ‘joker-like’ activities brought disrepute to the Adheenam founded by ‘Thirunavukkarasar’. (In fact, the Madurai Adheenam was founded by Tamil Saivite Sage Sri Thirugnanasambandar).
The editorial said, “The current pontiff of the Madurai Adheenam Harihara Desigar Gnansambandam is proving to be no less than his predecessor late Sri Arunagirinathar Swamigal through his absurd speeches. His speeches and activities are such that it is angering the embodiment of patience, devotion, humility, HR and CE Minister Sekar Babu”.
“The Madurai Adheenam is speaking inculcating hate like a lunatic who is crossing limits. He should realize that there is a limit to patience.”, it said.
Reminding the incident when former CM Jayalalithaa had been arrested a day before Diwali, Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the editorial said, in a veiled threat said, “What happened to Chinnavaal (taking a sly dig at Brahmins), Jayendrar during Jayalalithaa regime? We hope that today’s Madurai Adheenam remembers the incident when the ‘Mahaguru’ was made to count the jail bars. He was not just arrested and sent to jail. The many incidents that followed where his reputation was damaged, we hope the Madurai Adheenam realizes that. The Madurai Adheenam should not think that these incidents are being cited for threatening him”.
Murasoli said, “To the Madurai who keeps threatening that he would report to the PM and Home Minister, we’re reminding him this for his understanding. He is in a position where he has to go and meet the Prime Minister. But Kanchi seer was in a position where the Prime Minister, President and others sought appointment to seek audience with him. Madurai Adheenam should think about what happened to such a Sankracharya and tread cautiously, when compared to the political clout, media clout and devotee clout that Kanchi Sankracharya had, the Madurai Adheenam is a ‘zero’. Don’t think that you (Madurai Adheenam) can talk anything under the garb of religious leader.”.
What provoked the DMK was a speech at Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) meeting in Madurai, Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Swamigal of the Madurai Adheeam said, “the government does not interfere in the functioning of Churches or Mosques. But the government interferes in the functioning of our temples through the HR&CE department.” He called for disbanding the HR and CE departments, saying that it has turned temples into a den for looters and plunderers. “First of all, what business does a politician have in temples? The temple wealth has been taken over by the ruling party and the opposition. The Swamigal had also urged Hindu devotees to not put money in the hundis of HR&CE temples. The seer said “People are asking ‘can the Adheenams speak politics?’. If not us, who will speak?” he asked. The pontiff also said he faces threats to his life from the squatters of mutt properties (DMK men) and would meet PM to bring to his knowledge. Mannarkudi vaishanavite seer was also threatened by DMK, DK, and VCK cadres.
Reacting to his speech, Sekar Babu said “I am toning down the response because of the advice given by the Chief Minister. We can also pounce and hit you back. We’re refraining from doing so as it wouldn’t augur well. He (the seer) should not see us holding back as fear. We also know to pounce.” He said “The Madurai Adheenam has been continuously speaking like a politician, which the HR&CE Department won’t allow. He is trying to portray as if all the Adheenams are against this government. He doesn’t have the right to say that we can’t interfere in temples. If he keeps indulging in such talks we also know how to respond in kind.”
Coming to his support, TN BJP Chief Annamalai said, “We dare you to lay your finger on Madurai Adheenam and see. Just touch and see. We’re waiting for it. Brother Sekar Babu should have at least been cautious after seeing the photo of the two. If he is not prudent even then, it means that his bad time has started”.
“I warn BJP leader Annamala The old DMK guy will come back. So I urge you to be careful. Kripananda Variyar spoke wrongly about Anna. This made it impossible for him to go out and talk anywhere. I warn you that this is exactly what will happen. “said senior DMK leader R S Bharati in Dindigul on 16th May.
Another DMK minister MRK Panneerselvam said Annamalai could not step out of his native village if he went ahead with his march towards Secretariat to lower petrol and diesel prices as promised in its DMK poll manifesto. These are only a few to list. DMK thinks it is a big brother, and all have to tow its lines.
