News Tamil Nadu

DMK’s Double Standard Exposed: Gana Isaivani Escapes Scrutiny For Insulting Hindu Deities While Speaker Mahavishnu Who Spoke Face Hindu Concepts In A School Faced Immediate Arrest

November 26, 2024
The Commune

In a move that contradicts their previous stance on witch-hunting and arrests, the DMK is now showing a different face when it comes to issues of religious sensitivity, particularly in matters related to Hinduism. While the party has been quick to act for petty issues is now facing criticism for its reluctance to take action against a controversial Christian ‘gaana’ singer Isaivani, who allegedly insulted Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity. This is particularly striking given that a DMK minister PK Sekar Babu, who was appointed to protect Hindu faiths, has shown hesitation in addressing the matter, raising questions about the party’s consistency in neglecting issues specifically related to Hindu matters.

In a recent press conference in Chennai, DMK Minister PK Sekar Babu was questioned about the growing controversy surrounding a gaana singer who allegedly insulted Hindu gods. A complaint had been filed against the singer, and reporters asked whether the HR&CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments) department would take any action, given that it oversees matters related to Hindu religious affairs. In response, Minister Sekar Babu stated that if any wrongdoing was identified, action would be taken against the singer, Isavani, in accordance with the law.

Sekar Babu said, “Under this regime, our Chief Minister Stalin governs on the principle of ‘everythings for everyone.’ The Chief Minister will not allow any religion to insult another. I learned through the media that yesterday a complaint has been filed. If there is any wrongdoing, this government will take appropriate action after consulting legal experts. Our Chief Minister is determined that forces seeking to divide people on the basis of religion or race cannot thrive under this government.” 

What was particularly shocking was that DMK Minister of HR&CE PK Sekar Babu repeatedly emphasized that action would be taken if any wrongdoing was identified, but this approach seemed to differ dramatically in a recent case involving a motivational speaker, Mahavishnu, who was invited to speak at a government school in Chennai. Mahavishnu, who discussed Tamil literature and ethics, including topics like ‘rebirth’ and ‘karma’ from the Thirukkural, was immediately targeted after his speech sparked outrage among Dravidianists and Periyarists. Within two days, he was arrested, placed in judicial custody, and transported under heavy police escort as if he were a criminal or terrorist.

Even, DMK Education Minister Anbil Mahesh took the issue personally and remarked, “You came to my area, spoke, and left, you have insulted my teachers. So, I’m stressing at this point that I will not let you off lightly.” 

In stark contrast, when individuals insult Hindu gods or Hinduism, the response from the government is far less urgent. The Minister’s statement that action would be taken “after consulting legal experts” in such cases stands in clear contradiction to the swift arrest of Mahavishnu. This raises concerns about the inconsistency in handling cases of religious sensitivity, particularly when it involves Hindu beliefs.

It is shameful that, in the past, several instances of Dravidianists and Periyarists publicly insulting Hindu gods and faith have gone unpunished, with the perpetrators still roaming free. This double standard only deepens the sense of injustice and bias in the way religious matters are handled in the state.

The YouTube channel U2 Brutus, run by a person identifying as ‘Minor’ and a follower of E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (followers call hin Periyar), is known for supporting DMK and its allied parties. On 26 April 2022, the channel released a video titled “This is the reason why Nataraja stands with his leg lifted,” in which ‘Minor’ made derogatory remarks about Hindu gods, specifically Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. This has sparked controversy and criticism for insulting Hindu religious figures. The same channel also propagated the claim that the Hindu scriptures, particularly the Vedas, contain pornography in their mantras.

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