A political firestorm has erupted in Tamil Nadu after state BJP president Nainar Nagenthran drew a parallel between the temple town of Tirupparankundram and Ayodhya, prompting strong condemnation from the ruling DMK. The controversy is linked to tensions over the lighting of a 'Karthigai Deepam' near a dargah in Madurai.
The Spark: Ayodhya Comparison and DMK's Allegations
Speaking to reporters in Chennai on Saturday, after paying homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his death anniversary, Nainar Nagenthran addressed the DMK's accusations head-on. The DMK had alleged that the BJP was exploiting the 'deepam' issue to engineer a communal flashpoint akin to the Ayodhya dispute in Tirupparankundram.
In his retort, Nagenthran stated, "Ayodhya is in India, not in England or Europe. There is nothing wrong in Tirupparankundram becoming Ayodhya." He further emphasized the BJP's ideological goal, adding, "We have heard the greatness of Ram Rajya and want to implement it here."
Escalating Tensions Over the Deepam Lighting
The core of the dispute lies in attempts by the BJP and some Hindu groups to light the traditional Karthigai Deepam at a stone pillar situated close to a dargah on a hill in Tirupparankundram, Madurai. This has led to apprehensions of rising communal friction in the area.
When questioned about these tensions, the BJP state chief downplayed the risk of violence. Nainar Nagenthran claimed, "there is no chance of communal riots, because none of the Muslims have said a word against it." This assertion forms a key part of the BJP's defense in the ongoing debate.
Political Crossfire and Electoral Barbs
The DMK was quick to launch a counterattack. Senior party leader and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi posed a sharp rhetorical question in response to Nagenthran's Ayodhya comment. She asked, "Should TN change like Ayodhya? Like Ayodhya in Faizabad constituency, where the people made BJP suffer a crushing defeat in the last election?" Her remark was a direct reference to the BJP's electoral setback in the Faizabad region, which encompasses Ayodhya, during the recent Lok Sabha polls.
Jumping into the fray, former Telangana Governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan defended her party's record. She countered Kanimozhi by stating that communal harmony prevails in BJP-governed states, which she argued is the reason people consistently vote for the party. This exchange highlights how the local issue has rapidly escalated into a broader national political argument about governance and social peace.
The war of words underscores the deepening political polarization in Tamil Nadu, with the 'deepam' issue transforming into a significant flashpoint between the Dravidian party and the BJP's state unit. The invocation of Ayodhya has added a potent symbolic layer to the conflict, ensuring it remains a topic of heated debate.
