The tragic stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and left over 40 injured, on June 4, triggered a political storm—not only due to administrative failure but also because of the Congress government’s refusal to take responsibility. Instead of addressing the glaring lack of police preparedness, the ruling Congress in Karnataka including CM Siddiriamaih and Dy CM Shiv Kumar chose to deflect blame onto the very victims—cricket fans.
Echoing a similar pattern of callousness and blame-shifting, in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj—known for his Hinduphobic views and staunch Christian identity—made an equally incendiary remark following the incident. Rather than offering condolences or discussing public safety, Thangaraj remarked, “It is not a good cultural sign to see Hindus going to temples in large numbers.”His statement has sparked widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Former TN BJP leader K. Annamalai lashed out at Thangaraj, saying, “Hardly a day goes by without reports of illicit liquor deaths, murders, and crimes, but the minister overlooks these and instead takes issue with Hindus visiting temples—just to prove his so-called rationalism.”
அண்ணாமலை கண்டனம்#Annamalai #bjp #manothangaraj #DMK #NewsUpdate #TamilJanam pic.twitter.com/nrS734iymv
— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) June 5, 2025
BJP State Secretary S.G. Suryah also slammed the minister, asking, “If Hindus visiting temples is not a good cultural sign, then why did he meet priests and bishops? Are they not part of rationalist critique? This is blatant pseudo-secularism. Why doesn’t he object to CM Stalin’s wife, Dhurga Stalin, visiting temples daily, or other DMK family members doing the same?”
கோவில் திருவிழாவிற்கு அதிகளவில் கூட்டம் செல்வது உண்மையிலேயே நாகரீக சமூகத்திற்கு நல்ல அடையாளமாக பார்க்க முடியாது என்று அமைச்சர் @Manothangaraj கூறியுள்ளார்.
அப்படியானால் தேவாலயங்களுக்கு சென்று ஆயர்களை சந்திப்பது பகுத்தறிவு மற்றும் நாகரீக சமூகத்தின் கணக்கில் வருமோ? இவர்களின் போலி… https://t.co/qIgxaIsP4t
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) June 5, 2025
TN BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathi echoed the sentiment: “If going to temples is a bad cultural practice, then is visiting churches a good one? He goes to churches for blessings and even visited Rome using Tamil Nadu taxpayers’ money. Will he now tell Christians not to attend Velankanni Church festivals or Palm Sunday processions? Does he have the guts to say so? It’s unfortunate that such a Hinduphobic, pro-Christian individual was made a minister. His comments are proof of his religious bigotry.”
In a video posted by Indu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath, a Bishop can be seen mocking Tamils for idol worship. Arjun Sampath questions, “Do Christians not worship idols too—of Jesus, Mary, the Holy Cross, and other figurines? Is that acceptable?”Tamil Nad: Temple visits ‘disturbing’, says DMK Minister while comparing to Chinnaswamy stadium stampede
விக்ரக ஆராதனை செய்யும் தமிழர்களை
இழிவு படுத்தும் கிறிஸ்துவர்கள்இவர்கள் யேசு,மேரி,சிலுவை உருவங்களை
விக்ரக வடிவில் வழிபடுகிறார்களே pic.twitter.com/OXr3K78uFC— Arjun Sampath (@imkarjunsampath) April 25, 2025
These kinds of statements from DMK leaders, whether they show disrespect towards Hindus or reflect a lack of courage to face political accountability, are often passed off casually—without consequences. In truth, they stem from a deep-rooted ideology that feels emboldened to abuse the Hindus, shielded by so-called rationalism or secular labels.
It is high time society put brakes on this loud-mouthing, where abusive, divisive, or bigoted remarks are used as shields to avoid scrutiny. Whether it’s blaming fans in Karnataka or mocking temple-goers in Tamil Nadu, the pattern is clear: the Congress and DMK are allergic to accountability—and increasingly hostile to Hindu identity.
