Chennai: MDMK general secretary Vaiko was detained by police on Sunday while leading a black flag protest against Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for allegedly portraying poet Thiruvalluvar in a saffron robe at Lok Bhavan. The protest was organized in response to an event held on May 30 during the celebration of 'Vaikasi Anusham', where the Governor paid floral tributes to a portrait of Thiruvalluvar shown wearing saffron attire. The portrayal triggered strong reactions from several political parties in the state.
Vaiko's Strong Condemnation
Addressing the issue, Vaiko said, 'We condemn the gross inaction of the governor. He should be thrown out of Raj Bhavan.' The controversy stems from the fact that the officially recognized image of Thiruvalluvar depicts him in white clothing. Political leaders across party lines argued that presenting the revered poet in saffron robes was an attempt to associate him with a particular religious identity.
Political Reactions Across the Spectrum
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Dr Arunraaj criticized the move, saying Thiruvalluvar belonged to all humanity and should not be linked to any single religion, caste, or community. He argued that portraying the poet in a color associated with a specific faith was contrary to the universal message of the Tirukkural. DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin also attacked both the Governor and the state government over the issue. He questioned the celebration of Thiruvalluvar on 'Vaikasi Anusham' and alleged that the Governor's residence had once again attempted to depict the poet in saffron because the current government had remained silent on the matter.
Left Parties Join the Criticism
Leaders from Left parties also joined the criticism. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said depicting Thiruvalluvar in saffron attire was disrespectful to a figure who stood for equality and belonged to no particular religion. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said Tamil cultural traditions should be respected and warned against altering their historical identity. Vaiko had earlier strongly objected to the portrayal, describing the move as an attempt to distort the legacy of Thiruvalluvar and questioning whether those responsible believed the people of Tamil Nadu would accept such changes.
Political Row in Tamil Nadu
The issue has sparked a political row in Tamil Nadu, with several parties demanding that the Governor's office refrain from altering the traditional representation of the celebrated Tamil poet.
