In what has come across as a shocking development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated DMK stooge poet Vairamuthu, who has been accused by several women of sexual harassment and derogated Hindu gods in the most perverted manner, for his Jnanpith Award.
Amit Shah described the honour as recognition of his decades-long contribution to Indian literature.
In a letter dated 23 July 2026, Shah praised Vairamuthu’s literary achievements and said the award acknowledged his unwavering dedication, intellectual depth, and creative excellence.
“This award is a recognition of your years of unwavering dedication, profound intellect and exceptional creativity,” Shah wrote.
Expressing confidence that Vairamuthu’s literary works would continue to influence society, Shah said, “I am confident that your works will continue to offer society new perspectives, fresh awareness and positive guidance in the years to come.”
He further noted that the recognition would inspire future generations to remain connected with their mother tongues and literary traditions.
“On this historic achievement, which will encourage future generations to stay connected with their mother languages and literature, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.”
About Jnanpith Award
The award is not given by the Government of India but by the New Delhi–based literary and research organisation Bharatiya Jnanpith, a private entity.
There is no statutory or government-mandated process governing how these bodies are formed; the organization appoints members internally.
For each Indian language, Bharatiya Jnanpith forms a Language Advisory Committee (LAC) comprising writers, critics, scholars, and academics from that language’s literary community. These committees evaluate authors and recommend names based on their lifetime literary contributions.
The final decision is made by the Jnanpith Selection Board, also appointed by Bharatiya Jnanpith, which typically includes senior literary figures and sometimes past awardees. The board reviews the nominations and selects the recipient of the award.
However, the award has been formally presented by the President of India in a ceremony on different occasions.
Vairamuthu – The Sexual Harasser & Abuser of Hindu Gods
Vairamuthu in 2018 claimed that the 7th-century mystic poet Andal was a Devadasi who lived and died at the Srirangam Temple.
Woke singer Chinmayi Sripaada publicly accused Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, including inappropriate demands and career coercion. Around 17 women have levelled sexual harassment charges have come forward with claims of molestation, groping, and exploitation. One report indicated a woman was molested by him at age 18 in his office, where he allegedly hugged and kissed her. Vairamuthu has consistently denied the charges, labeling them as vendetta or politically timed.
In 2021, he had penned a song that romanticizes pedophilia. The song is about a school-going girl in love with a grey-haired old ‘poet’ and was filmed with actor Anika Surendran who was 16 years old at that time.
Vairamuthu had also ridiculed Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and also raised questions about his birth.
In July 2024, Vairamuthu mocked Hindu practices in a poem under the garb of condoling the Hathras stampede tragedy.
On 6 August 2025, the #MeToo-accused lyricist Vairamuthu would receive the Kavi Chakravarthy Kamban Award from DMK MP Jagathrakshakan’s Azhwar Research Centre. At a Chennai Kamban Kazhagam event, Vairamuthu courted controversy by claiming Kamban “saved” Lord Rama by portraying him as mentally disturbed after Sita’s separation, likening it to Section 84 of the IPC, which exempts persons of unsound mind from criminal liability, effectively suggesting Rama’s actions were legally excusable.
Ironically, the sexual harassment accused poet known for anti-Hindu comments will be getting an award that consists of a bronze replica of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
The praise by Union Home Minister Amit Shah has raised eyebrows given the values, standards and principles that the central government claims to uphold.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
