TVK ministers Arunraj, Vanni Arasu slam Guv over saffron portrayal of Tiruvalluvar

Chennai: State health minister K G Arunraj and social justice minister Vanni Arasu on Sunday condemned Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar over the portrayal of poet Thiruvalluvar in saffron robe at Lok Bhavan, accusing him of attempting to impose a religious identity on a universally revered figure.

“Thiruvalluvar gave the world a universal scripture. Reducing him to a narrow identity or portraying him within the confines of a particular religion diminishes his global philosophy,” Arunraj said on X.

The incident happened on Saturday when Rajendra Arlekar paid tribute to the portrait of Tiruvalluvar clad in saffron robe on the occasion of Vaikasi Anusham in an event held in Lok Bhavan. Leader of opposition Udhayandhi Stalin condemned Arlekar for the saffron-clad Thiruvalluvar.

Arunraj said portraying Thiruvalluvar in saffron attire at Lok Bhavan or any govt or public place was inappropriate as the author of Thirukkural never confined himself to any religion, caste, race or nationality. He pointed out that even in the invocation chapter of Thirukkural, Thiruvalluvar used generic terms such as “Aadhi Bhagavan”, “Malarmisai Yeginan” and “Aravazhi Anthanan” without referring to any specific deity.

Quoting the words in the Kural “Pirappokkum ella uyirkkum” (all are equal by birth), Arunraj said Thiruvalluvar stood for equality and universal values. “Trying to confine him within a particular colour is like trying to contain the sea within a pot,” he said, adding that changing the colour of the poet’s attire for political gains was unacceptable. He said following the moral path shown in the Thirukkural would be the true tribute to Thiruvalluvar.

Vanni Arasu condemned the governor’s actions, alleging that Rajendra Arlekar was following the path of former governor . He accused the governor of attempting to “saffronise” Thiruvalluvar and termed it anti-Tamil and against the spirit of the Constitution.

Vanni Arasu also criticised the governor for allegedly sidelining Tamil Thai Vazhthu at official events and referred to controversies surrounding the display of Bharat Mata imagery in Kerala during Arlekar’s tenure there. He reiterated chief minister ’s demand to the Prime Minister that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be accorded primacy in all govt functions in Tamil Nadu, including Raj Bhavan events.

Later in the day, CPM also joined the criticism, with state secretary saying portraying Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes insulted the poet who preached equality and belonged to no single religion. He demanded that Arlekar apologise to the people of Tamil Nadu.