We are worried AIADMK is making a historic mistake: Thirumavalavan

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday expressed concern over the political course the AIADMK has taken. “We are worried that AIADMK is making a historic mistake. We will not allow them (Hindutva forces) to poison this land. Many are trying to divert Tamil Nadu towards Hindutva politics. Many who speak fake Tamil nationalism also are speaking in the same tone. We should not give space for that,” he said in Chennai.

The VCK leader feared the AIADMK cadres are being turned into RSS activists.

His remarks came against the backdrop of the recent Murugan Devotees conference held by the Hindu Munnani in Madurai in which AIADMK leaders had also participated.

Participating at a function organised by his party to bestow awards on various personalities, he said B. R. Ambedkar was instrumental in ensuring that Hinduism, “which does not foster brotherhood within”, was not declared as the State religion in India.

Mr. Thirumavalavan asked if those accusing him of erasing “sacred ash” on his forehead were ready to protest in favour of Scheduled Castes who are not being allowed inside temple (Droupathi Amman temple) in Melpathi in Villupuram.

“I accepted sacred ash because it was offered. Can I sport it always? I didn’t accept it because I would get good Karma nor did I want to insult the gesture,” he said.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “I am not asking you to accept me as your Shankaracharya…but just accept me as your brother.”

“Tamil land has five types of landscape and Murugan, who hails from Kurinji is the leader. He was born like us, lived like us and ruled the people. We have literature to support this. But he has been turned into ‘Subramanian’. No Brahmin will name their children as Murugan – they will name them Subramanian or Skandan. Murugan from Sangam literature is different from the mythology,” he contended.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “How can I sit and watch as the follower of Dr. Ambedkar and Periyar (E V Ramasamy) when our identity and history is stolen and new stories and identity are created to discriminate and divide us? We haven’t started a party just to go to and State assembly.”

Dr. K. S. Chalam, former VC, Dravidian University (Ambedkar Sudar awardee), actor Sathyaraj (Periyar Oli), Thozhar Thiyagu (Marx Mamani), Dr. Pa. Jambulingam (Iyotheethasar Adhavan), V. Vaithilingam former CM, Puducherry (Kamarajar Kathir), Tamil scholar Prof. A. Shanmugadas (Semmozhi Gnayiru), P.A. Kaja Moinudeen Bagavi (Quaid-E-Millath Pirai) received awards.