In a secular gesture, Muslim League extends Deepavali greetings

IUML national leader KM Kadher Mohideen said that Deepavali is related to brightness and light and wished that it would inspire human values, truth and goodness in people’s lives. India is one country which believes in ‘Ondrekulam, oruvaneydhevan’ (One race, one God) and people of the country should live with a feeling of brotherhood, he said and prayed with the almighty for the preservation of unity and diversity. 

The IUML’s greetings stand out, since Muslim outfits generally do not approve of Deepavali celebrations related to a mythology of Lord Vishnu annihilating demon Naragasura. None of the other Muslim outfits had come out with any greetings for Deepavali.

Besides, Dravidian parties, including the DMK and MDMK, had not extended Deepavali greetings, since the Dravidian movement does not approve of the festival. The founder of the movement EVR Periyar had seen the festival as a celebration of ‘Aryan victory’ over ‘Dravidians.’ According to Periyar’s ideology, asuras described in Hindu mythology are Dravidians, who refused to take ‘Sura,’ a drink used by the Aryans. 

DMK founder CN Annadurai had not greeted the people for Deepavali and this tradition was followed by his successor M Karunanidhi and AIADMK founder MGR. However, J Jayalalithaa, who succeeded MGR, used to convey her greetings for the festival and this practice is followed by her followers, including CM Edappadi K Palaniswami and his rival faction leader TTV Dinakaran.