Chennai, Tamil Nadu – DMK MP A. Raja has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after remarks instructing party cadres to refrain from sporting Hindu religious marks such as kumkum, sacred ash, and wristbands. His comments, which surfaced in an undated video, have sparked outrage among Hindu groups and political opponents, with the Tamil Nadu BJP strongly condemning his stance and demanding action from Chief Minister MK Stalin.
In the video, Raja can be heard addressing party workers, urging them to avoid religious identifiers to prevent confusion between DMK members and Sanghis. “If needed, worship God. No issues. That is why I am saying please leave students out of this. God is love. We see God in the smiles of the poor, as rightly said by Anna. The heart is the abode of a loving God,” Raja stated.
திமுக வேட்டியை கட்டிய பிறகு விபூதி, பொட்டினை அழித்துவிடுங்கள்..கையில் திமுகவினர் கையிறு கட்டக்கூடாது..
ஆ.ராஜா கட்டளை… https://t.co/TrVEGXTPXE
— SundarRajaCholan☀𑌸𑍁𑌨𑍍𑌦𑌰𑍍 𑌰𑌾𑌜 𑌚𑍋𑌳𑌼𑌨☀ (@sundarrajachola) April 1, 2025
However, he went on to argue that party workers must refrain from wearing religious marks while engaging in political activities. “But when you wear a DMK border dhoti and come to party work or office, please remove them so that you can be easily spotted as our men. If we have no ideologies, the political party won’t succeed. AIADMK is the best example of this,” he added.
BJP Slams Raja’s Remarks as Anti-Hindu
The Tamil Nadu BJP has strongly opposed Raja’s comments, calling them divisive and offensive to Hindu traditions. BJP spokesperson ANG Prasad released a statement condemning the remarks and urging Chief Minister MK Stalin to take immediate action against Raja. Prasad said, “The recent statements made by DMK MP A. Raja are highly condemnable, as they attempt to belittle the spiritual beliefs and practices of the Tamil people, deliberately creating a rift between communities. Raja’s comments are not only hurtful but also divisive, aiming to polarize people along communal lines.”
Prasad further accused Raja of attempting to misrepresent Hindu customs. “By asserting that wearing a sacred mark (pottu) and carrying a wristband (kayiru) are characteristics of ‘Sanghis’ (a term used to describe right-wing Hindus), Raja has made a blatant attempt to misrepresent Hindu traditions and practices. His statement is a gross misrepresentation of the Hindu community’s beliefs and values,” he said.
The BJP has called on Chief Minister MK Stalin to condemn Raja’s statements and reassure the Hindu community that their beliefs will be respected and protected. “Raja’s comments are an affront to the democratic principles of our nation, which guarantees the freedom to practice one’s faith without fear of retribution or ridicule. His statements are a clear example of hate speech, aimed at denigrating a particular community and its beliefs. It is imperative that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, takes immediate action against Raja’s inflammatory comments,” Prasad urged.
Prasad also pointed out the contradiction in Raja’s stance, noting that Stalin and his family are known to be devout Hindus. “Stalin’s family, including his wife Durga Stalin, are known to be temple-goers and devout Hindus. It is essential that they condemn Raja’s statements and reassure the Hindu community that their beliefs will be respected and protected.”
A Pattern of Anti-Hindu Sentiment?
Raja’s comments are not the first instance of DMK leaders making controversial statements about Hindu traditions. Prasad recalled past incidents where the DMK leadership had allegedly undermined Hindu religious sentiments. “The DMK’s leadership has consistently demonstrated a lack of understanding and respect for Sanatan Dharma and practices. This is evident in their attempts to undermine Hindu festivals, customs, and institutions. The DMK’s anti-Hindu agenda is a threat to the social fabric of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
One notable example cited was when DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, upon seeing a party MP from Cuddalore wearing vermillion, sarcastically remarked, “Are you bleeding? Blood is oozing?” Critics argue that such statements reflect the DMK’s deep-seated animosity towards Hindu traditions, despite many of its leaders privately practicing Hindu rituals.
Prasad also recalled former Chief Minister Karunanidhi’s infamous remarks questioning the education credentials of Lord Ram during the Sethu Samudram project controversy. Similarly, DMK leaders have been accused of mocking Hindu marriage ceremonies at public gatherings.
BJP Urges Public to Reject Divisive Politics
In his statement, Prasad made an appeal to the people of Tamil Nadu to reject what he termed as the DMK’s “divisive politics” and ensure that all religious communities are treated with respect. “It is essential that the people of Tamil Nadu reject such divisive politics and demand that their leaders respect and protect the rights of all communities. We must promote respect, tolerance, and understanding, rather than hatred and division,” he said.
Further escalating his demands, Prasad called for Raja’s expulsion from the DMK. “Raja’s presence in Tamil Nadu is a menace to the state’s peace and harmony, and he must be expelled from the state immediately. Additionally, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin must expel Raja from the DMK party with immediate effect,” he urged.
DMK’s Dual Stance on Religion
Critics of the DMK point out that despite its historical atheistic stance, many of its top leaders continue to engage in Hindu religious activities. During Sai Baba’s visit to Karunanidhi’s residence, Stalin and his family were seen seeking blessings from the spiritual leader, contradicting their publicly stated positions on religion.
Despite DMK’s strong anti-religious rhetoric, several of its leaders, including Stalin’s wife Durga Stalin, are known to be regular temple-goers who perform special poojas. This perceived hypocrisy has further fueled public skepticism about the party’s genuine stance on religious freedom and personal beliefs.
