CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has found himself at the center of a fresh controversy after being accused by the Hindu Munnani of disrespecting Swami Vivekananda. The accusations stem from Stalin’s recent visit to Kanyakumari, where he inaugurated a glass bridge connecting the iconic Thiruvalluvar statue and the Vivekananda Memorial Rock but allegedly chose not to visit the memorial dedicated to the revered saint and philosopher.
Hindu Munnani’s Criticism
Kadeswara C Subramaniam, the state president of the Hindu Munnani, took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to condemn Stalin’s actions. Subramaniam stated that the Chief Minister’s decision to skip visiting the Vivekananda Memorial after inaugurating the glass bridge was a deliberate insult to Swami Vivekananda. He urged Stalin to shed what he described as an “anti-Hindu” stance and adopt a more inclusive approach for the benefit of all communities.
“Swami Vivekananda is a symbol of India,” Subramaniam said. “He brought Indian Hinduism into the global spotlight and inspired people worldwide with his ideas. His journey of triumph began in Kanyakumari, where he meditated on the sacred rock. By ignoring this significant site, Stalin has insulted the legacy of a great national icon.”
Historical Significance of Vivekananda Memorial
Highlighting the importance of the Vivekananda Memorial Rock, Subramaniam reminded that Swami Vivekananda meditated on the rock for three days in 1892, after which he emerged with a vision for the spiritual and social upliftment of India. The memorial, erected in his honor, is a symbol of his transformative experience and draws visitors from across the world. Subramaniam also referenced the legend of Goddess Parvati performing penance on the same rock, further underscoring its sanctity.
Subramaniam pointed out that the memorial was built with contributions from people across all political and religious backgrounds, led by the efforts of Eknath Ranade. He accused Stalin and the DMK of attempting to erase this history and indulging in what he termed “vote-bank politics.”
சுவாமி விவேகானந்தரை அவமதித்து இந்து மதத்தின் மீதான வன்மத்தை மீண்டும் காட்டிய தமிழக முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலினுக்கு இந்து முன்னணி கண்டனம்- மாநிலத் தலைவர் காடேஸ்வரா சி. சுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களின் பத்திரிகை அறிக்கை#kanyakumari#thiruvalluvar#vivekanandhar#stallin#Hindumunnani… pic.twitter.com/ogxZKJ5ig7
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) January 1, 2025
Controversial Naming of Boats
Adding to the criticism, the Hindu Munnani questioned Stalin’s decision to name three new passenger boats launched for ferrying visitors to the Vivekananda Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue as “Kamaraj,” “Nesamani,” and “G.U. Pope.” While the first two names are associated with Tamil leaders, G.U. Pope was a Christian missionary. Subramaniam argued that naming a boat after Pope, instead of honoring poets from the Sangam era or other Tamil icons, was a move to appease minority communities.
“Kanyakumari is the birthplace of many poets from the Sangam era,” he said. “Why overlook them in favor of a missionary? This is yet another example of the DMK’s disregard for Tamil and Hindu heritage.”
Commercialisation of the Glass Bridge
The Hindu Munnani also criticised the state government’s decision to charge a fee for walking on the glass bridge. Subramaniam called this move an act of commercialisation that disrespects the spiritual and cultural significance of the Thiruvalluvar Statue and the Vivekananda Memorial. “Charging people to access these sacred sites discourages visitors and tarnishes their sanctity,” he added.
TN BJP Joins the Criticism
Senior Tamil Nadu BJP leader H. Raja echoed the Hindu Munnani’s sentiments, accusing the DMK of trying to take undue credit for the Thiruvalluvar Statue’s installation. He clarified that the statue’s foundation stone was laid in 1979 during the AIADMK regime under then-Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, with significant contributions from Eknath Ranade. Raja alleged that the DMK’s attempts to rewrite history were politically motivated.
கன்னியாகுமரியில் சனாதன திருவள்ளுவருக்கு சிலை நிறுவியதில் எந்த பங்களிப்பும் இல்லாத திமுக விற்கோ அல்லது இன்றைய முதல்வருக்கோ திருவள்ளுவரது அடையாளத்தை அழிக்கும் வித்த்தில் பெயர் மாற்றம் செய்ய எந்த உரிமையும் இல்லை. pic.twitter.com/I4ELF1dLAl
— H Raja (@HRajaBJP) December 30, 2024
Anti-Hindu Allegations
Subramaniam’s criticism extended to Stalin’s broader policies, accusing the Chief Minister of harboring an anti-Hindu mindset. He alleged that Stalin consistently avoids engaging with Hindu traditions and landmarks, citing the CM’s tendency to inaugurate temple-funded programs via video conferencing instead of visiting the temples in person.
“By skipping the Vivekananda Memorial, Stalin has not only insulted a great saint but also the millions who respect and admire him. This reflects an anti-Hindu mentality that is detrimental to the unity of our nation,” Subramaniam said.
Call for Neutral Governance
Concluding his statement, Subramaniam urged Stalin to adopt a more neutral approach as a leader representing all communities. “As Chief Minister, Stalin must rise above vote-bank politics and recognize the contributions of great figures like Swami Vivekananda, who belong to the entire nation, not just a particular community. Such divisive actions do no good for Tamil Nadu or the country,” he emphasized.
The controversy has sparked mixed reactions among the public and political analysts. While supporters of the DMK argue that Stalin’s actions are being misinterpreted, critics view the incident as part of a larger pattern of neglecting Hindu cultural symbols. The BJP and Hindu Munnani have vowed to continue raising the issue until the Chief Minister offers an explanation or changes his approach.
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