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Netizens question Stalin’s dedication to atheism
By ‘visiting’ Srirangam temple, DMK working president MK Stalin has given fresh ammunition to his political opponents and netizens. They had a field day debating DMK’s commitment to atheism.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Though Stalin did not enter the Vaishnavite shrine per se; his accepting the honours of the temple priests and subsequent erasing of the bindi (a decorative mark worn in the forehead by Hindus) has left tongues wagging on both sides of the ideological scale, mostly online.
The DMK had compromised on its atheist principles decades ago (party founder C N Annadurai had propounded the “one god, one community” principle even when their ideological mentor Periyar who espoused strict atheist principles was alive) and members of Karunanidhi and Stalin’s family are pious Hindus notwithstanding, Stalin’s frequent visits to temples and agnostic acts during political tours, including Friday’s trip to Srirangam have kept onlookers busy.
Notably, unlike his father Karunanidhi, who had abstained from indulging in any act directly contradicting his questionable adherence to atheism (sporting the yellow shawl and avoiding the main gate on Thanjavur big temple during the millennium anniversary celebration of Raja Raja Cholan were exceptions), Stalin has not been shy of entering places of worship, mainly since the 2016 Assembly election campaign during which he had gladly posed for lensmen in famous Vaishnavite and Shaivite temples. A few hardcore atheists took to twitter to wonder if Stalin were caught between the god-fearing apolitical voter and atheist followers of Dravidar Kazhagam who stand by them often.
Understandably, the first critique came from nowhere but the BJP. Quick to pounce on Stalin, national secretary of BJP H Raja tweeted; “If he were a theist, he should respect Hindus. Erasing the bindi after accepting the honours was an insult to the believers. DMK will never respect the sentiments of Hindus.”
Conversely, writer and political commentator V Mathimaran argues, “Stalin had only accepted an honour. Refusing it would have been discourteous. Even Periyar would have accepted it if he were alive. If someone had compromised on the principle there, it was the Srirangam priests who offered the honour despite knowing that Stalin was progressive. Spinning political theories based on courteous act was only a conscious attempt to malign the DMK.”
Inspired by HDK, Stalin hopes to become CM by visiting Srirangam, says Tamilisai
BJP state president Tamilisai quipped that DMK working president MK Stalin has gained faith and inspiration following Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who came to power after visiting the Srirangam temple. Speaking to reporters in Karur on Saturday, Tamilisai said, since Kumaraswamy became CM, Stalin also had hoped that his visit to the temple may bear fruit and he would become CM. “His sudden affection towards Hindus in general and Srirangam people in particular is just for political gain,” Tamilisai said. She also asked Stalin to understand that Governor knows his limit and only those who are in the government can oppose his interference. Stalin has been opposing the Governor out of frustration, she added.
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