In a surprising shift in stance, Kollywood actor-turned-politician and leader of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, has finally extended his wishes for the Hindu festivals celebrated across the nation, including Ayudha Pooja, Saraswati Pooja, and Vijayadasami. This marks a significant change for Vijay, who had previously avoided acknowledging specifically Hindu festivals and faced backlash from various quarters.
His recent gestures to extend wishes for Hindu festivals on these auspicious occasions signal a positive step toward treating equally all faiths and moving beyond Dravidian narratives.
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) October 11, 2024
Previously, TVK chief Vijay faced significant backlash for skipping wishes for Hindu festivals and Tamil New Year in Tamil Nadu while extending greetings for Onam, a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala. This inconsistency did not go unnoticed, and he was criticized for hypocrisy, drawing parallels to the DMK’s approach.
Here is a list of political stunts he has engaged in since launching his new party, primarily consisting of online gestures that send indirect messages.
Not Wishing For Vinayakar Chaturthi
Vijay did not acknowledge or wish the people of the state for Vinayakar Chaturthi, a festival celebrated by 87.58% of the Hindu population. Kollywood actor and TVK chief Vijay appeared to be deliberately avoiding respecting the cultural values and beliefs of Hindus and Tamils. His selective social media posts on his official X account support this accusation.
Not Wishing For Tamil New Year (Puthandu)
Instead of wishing for Tamil New Year which is a significant festival for Hindus in Tamil Nadu, Vijay chose to wish his fans and followers for Ambedkar Jayanti, which coincidentally falls on the same day. This is the same strategy employed by the DMK on the auspicious occasion of Hindu celebrations and festivals such as Vinayakar Chaturthi, Saraswathi Pooja, and other festive occasions.
#Ambedkar#அம்பேத்கர் pic.twitter.com/T0Ux934OZQ
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) April 14, 2024
No Wishes For Krishna Jayanti
Vijay cautiously neglected even the Hindu festival of Krishna Jayanthi on 26 August 2024.
Wishing For Onam
Surprisingly, as if making a statement to reach out to his Malayali fans and followers, Vijay wished for the Onam festival. It’s noteworthy that DMK (MK Stalin) also had wished for Onam last year. On 15 September 2024, TVK chief Vijay shared Onam wishes on his official X account, stating, “Happy #Onam from the bottom of my heart to all Malayalam relatives! A hearty Onam to my very own Malayali friends.”
மலையாள சொந்தங்கள் அனைவருக்கும் என் இதயம் கனிந்த #ஓணம் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்!
എന്റെ സ്വന്തം മലയാളി സുഹൃത്തുക്കൾക്ക് ഹൃദയം നിറഞ്ഞ ഓണാശംസകൾ.#HappyOnam!
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) September 15, 2024
Wishing For Christian, Muslim Festivals & Other Special Days
He has acknowledged and wished for Muslim festivals like Ramzan and Eid, Christian festivals like Easter, as well as neutral days such as May 1 (Labour Day), Ambedkar Jayanti, Independence Day, and Mother’s Day.
#IndependenceDay2024 pic.twitter.com/321VECPbAF
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) August 15, 2024
#MothersDay pic.twitter.com/47PBLgnFoh
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) May 12, 2024
உழைப்பின் மேன்மையையும் உழைப்பாளர்களின் சிறப்பினையும் உலகிற்குப் பறைசாற்றும் இந்த மே தினத்தில், தொழிலாளர் சகோதர சகோதரிகள் அனைவருக்கும் எனது உளமார்ந்த “மே தின” நல்வாழ்த்துகளைத் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன்.#MayDay2024 #LabourDay pic.twitter.com/HZ9Zp0nKMn
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) May 1, 2024
புனித ரமலான் மாதத்தில் இறைவனை வேண்டி நோன்பிருந்து, அன்பு, கருணை, ஈகை, சகோதரத்துவம் உள்ளிட்ட உயரிய பண்புகளை உலகுக்கு எடுத்துக்கூறும் இஸ்லாமிய உறவுகள் அனைவருக்கும் என் நெஞ்சம் நிறைந்த ரமலான் திருநாள் வாழ்த்துகளைத் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன்.
விஜய்,
தலைவர்,
தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகம்— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) April 11, 2024
உலக மக்கள் அனைவரிடமும் அமைதி நிலவ, அன்பு, சகோதரத்துவம், ஒற்றுமை, தியாகம் தழைத்தோங்க, புனிதமான இந்நன்னாளில் அனைவருக்கும் ஈஸ்டர் பெருவிழா வாழ்த்துகள்.
விஜய்,
தலைவர்,
தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகம்— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) March 31, 2024
This divide-and-rule approach was evident in Vijay’s earlier political statements, where he aligned himself with the DMK on issues like NEET and CAA. However, his strategy backfired on Vinayagar Chaturthi when netizens harshly criticized him. They noted that while Vijay releases his movies on the festival to profit, he neglects to extend wishes for the occasion, labeling him a mere proxy for the DMK. Critics highlighted that he would wish for Onam but not for Tamil New Year.
Now, Vijay has taken a new step on the occasion of Pooja days, when Hindus traditionally seek new beginnings by worshiping their tools and equipment and Goddess Saraswati, the giver of boons.
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