CHENNAI: Launching a sharp counterattack against veteran BJP leader H Raja over his criticism of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and the minister himself in his first film ‘Kandhan Malai’, State Minister for HR&CE P K Sekarbabu on Sunday said that irrelevant forces cannot do anything to a government that delivers day after day.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting a series of projects being implemented under the North Chennai Development Plan by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Sekarbabu said the development initiatives were being carried out strictly in line with the roadmap laid down by Chief Minister M K Stalin. “In Stanley Nagar, a residential complex comprising 770 houses is being developed with modern amenities, including a library, park, study centre and elevators. The project will be inaugurated by January 20,” he said.
Responding to a question on H Raja’s remarks in his film Kandhan Malai, Sekarbabu dismissed the criticism outright. “Why don’t you ask some meaningful questions? Why bring up that nonsense again and again? A person who acted in a film not even fit for theatrical release does not deserve such attention,” he remarked.
Rejecting allegations of religious bias, the minister said he was unaware of the religion of the IAS officers working with him or even of the journalists asking questions. “The malicious forces that seek to divide people on the basis of religion and identity will never succeed in Tamil Nadu,” he asserted.
Highlighting achievements of the HR&CE department, Sekarbabu said consecration ceremonies would be held in nearly 4,000 temples, while restoration works were under way at 24 temples using advanced lifting techniques. “Even after a thousand years, no regime would have achieved what this government has delivered for temples and devotees,” he said.
The minister added, “A government that performs wonders every day and brings joy to devotees cannot be shaken by political non-entities.”
His inspection included the state-of-the-art exhibition complex coming up at Island Grounds and a multi-storey residential housing project under construction on Stanley Hospital Road.