The public transport system in Dubai will soon set get a new facial recognition system in order to increase the security of the citizens. This new system will be displayed in the upcoming global expo exhibition expected to take place shortly and will be launched by October 2021.
Dubai is in the process of becoming a ‘smarter city’ in the Middle East. This facial recognition technology has been a part of this venture and has been used in the airport for the last few months. The government aspires to make the city a global hub for artificial intelligence.
“This technology has proven its effectiveness to identify suspicious and wanted people,” said Obaid al-Hathboor, director of Dubai’s Transport Security Department. “We aspire to raise our performance by building on our current capabilities, to ensure a high level of security in metro stations and other transport sectors,” said Hathboor.
The event which was supposed to take place in October is delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is supposed to have attracted at least 15 million visitors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on October 25 (Vijayadasami in the north and Ayudha Pooja/Saraswati Pooja in the south) introduced Pon Mariyappan, an individual hailing from Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.
Pon Mariyappan had converted a portion of his barbershop into a public library. Greeting with the Vanakkam (welcome in Tamil), Prime Minister Modi asked Pon Mariyappan about how he got the idea to start the library. Pon Mariyappan said that as he had studied only till class 8, he had felt guilty whenever he met someone learned. This thought had inspired him to start a library that would benefit many.
When PM Modi asked Pon Mariyappan what his favourite book was, he mentioned Thirukkural.
Concluding the conversation, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes and mentioned how Pon Mariyappan was not only grooming people’s hair but is also brightening their lives.
Senthilvel, a former News 18 Tamil Nadu anchor who was shown the doors by the channel management, after popular vlogger Maridhas accused the channel and its anchors of favouring one particular ideology and political party, started his own Youtube channel a few weeks ago. Since then, he has been sharing his views on current issues targeting the BJP and also interviewing personalities who are critical of the current regime at the Centre.
In his latest video, Senthilvel makes a desperate attempt to take a dig at the BJP by ‘interviewing Jawaharlal Nehru’. Yes, Jawaharlal Nehru was resurrected from death and was interviewed by Senthil about the rise in prices of fuel, onion and gold and the India-China situation, because apparently the BJP has been blaming Nehru for all that is wrong with the nation now.
However, in this video, Nehru doesn’t talk but just keeps staring at the screen looking at the tantrums thrown by Senthilvel.
Since, Nehru did not respond to any of the questions, Senthilvel brings in Indira Gandhi and poses the same questions who does nothing but blinks her eyes.
In an attempt to do something ‘different’ and to get people watch his videos which hasn’t been getting much traction, this adventure of Senthilvel has turned out to be the butt of all jokes.
Senthilvel had anchored shows for Tamil mainstream news channels like Puthiyathalaimurai and News 18 Tamil Nadu. He quit/was expelled after Maridhas exposed how anchors and editors in the mainstream Tamil news channels hold a ideological hegemony and favour one particular party.
10th June 1801. Two brothers who were ruling the region of Sivagangai, declared from the ramparts of the Trichy Srirangam Temple the Jambutheevu Declaration – that they would not bend their knee to the British. Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu popularly called together as Marudhu Pandiyargal/Marudhu Brothers were one of the earliest to rebel against the British even before the 1857 War of Independence happened in the north. Their stories of valiance are however not known much beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu.
Early life
Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu were born to Mookiah Palaniappan Thevar and Ponnathal. Periya Marudhu was born in a small hamlet called Narikkudi near Aruppukkottai near Virudhunagar district. Chinna Marudhu, five years younger, was born in Ramnad in 1753.
Mookiah Palaniappan moved his family to Virudhunagar from Narikkudi. He served as a general in the army of Raja Muthuvaduganatha Thevar, the king of Sivaganga. The Marudhu brothers from a young age got trained in native martial arts at Surankottai, which traditionally served as a training centre for the Ramnad army.
During their time at the king’s palace, the teenage brothers got acquainted with warfare and artillery. There exists a legend that states that they earned the title of Pandiyar from the king after they had saved him from a tiger.
The Marudhu brothers were also very skilled in aerodynamics, and invented many variants of spears and Valari, a type of boomerang.
The Kattabomman Connect
The Marudhu Brothers were also in close association with Veerapandiya Kattabomman of Panchalankurichi. The palace of Sivagangai used to be the spot where Kattabomman and Marudhu Brothers frequently met to discuss about overthrowing the British.
After Kattabomman’s execution, the Marudhu Brothers gave asylum to Kattabomman’s brother Oomadurai. This became a thorn in the British’s heel and marched towards Sivaganga in 1801. However, Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies sent them running helter-skelter and captured three districts from the British. Thus, the British started viewing Maruthu Pandiyars as a serious threat to their future in the south.
The Velu Nachiyar Connect
Shortly afterward, the British had claimed lordship over the Nawab of Arcot’s kingdom and had sent their officers to collect taxes. The refusal to yield kicked of another battle between the British and native rulers. The British forces under Colonel Joseph Smitt and Captain Bonjour marched towards Kalayar Kovil, the seat of throne of Raja Muthuvaduganatha Thevar. Although the Kalayar Kovil temple was saved by the brothers, Raja Muthuvaduganatha Thevar died in the battle. Queen Velu Nachiyar along with her daughter Vellachi Nachiyar and her commandent Kuyili escaped and camped at Virupaatchi near Dindigul.
Gopala Nayak, the king of Virupakshipuram, took them in and they stayed under his protection for 7 years. It was here that the brothers trained Velu Nachiyar’s commandent Kuyili and the Udayal Padai (women’s army). Along with the queen and her allies, they took over Sivangangai again, with Periya Marudhu as the General in Command.
The attack
Velunachiyar had formed an allegiance with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and had been leading a strong fight against the British in the South. The British, meanwhile, had been infiltrating through the kingdoms in the South and had massacred and pillaged many kingdoms. One of them who had stood up to them was Veerapandiya Kattabomman, who had been hanged at Kayatharu.
It was then that Velu Nachiyar spotted a storehouse of British ammunition, and along with her firs-in-command, she planned a suicide attack to destroy it. She handed over the kingdom to her daughter Princess Vellachi to take over, and made the Marudhu brothers her primary advisors.
Jailbreak and subsequent captures
In 1799, a jailbreak in Coimbatore orchestrated by the brothers and their Southern allies failed, with many of their people being captured and executed. Their spirit was still strong, and after taking in Kattabomman’s brother Oomadurai, they led the fight of the rebels by employing guerrilla tactics in the deep jungles of Thiruverkadu.
After a bloody battle that lasted for several weeks, they were wounded and captured by the British army, without food or water at Cholapuram, on October 19, 1801.
They were hanged after four days, at the Thiruputhur fort in Sivagangai. Chinna Marudhu was hanged in a cage made specifically for the purpose by Major Agnew. All of their clan was annihilated, except for Periya Marudhu’s son Doraisamy who was banished to Malaysia. A total of 500 people, including close associates of Maruthupandiyar, were hanged. The bodies of the dead were dismembered and were strewn on the streets of Thiruputhur by the British. The heads of Marudhu Brothers were pierced on spears and put in public display to instill fear.
Later, the bodies of Marudhu Brothers were buried opposite the Kalayar Kovil as per their wishes.
Where are Marudhu Brothers now?
A temple cum memorial has been built at the place of their burial. Their memories and folklores have been carried forward by the Thevar community. A guru pooja is held every year in October to commemorate the supreme sacrifice they made to the motherland.
A commemorative postage stamp was released in October 2004.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi head Thol. Thirumavalavan is once again in news for his diatribes against one particular faith – Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma. Right from the beginning of his political innings, he has been vocal about ‘uprooting Sanatana Dharma’ and his punching bag remains the ‘Manu Smriti’ a text that is neither relevant to present times nor finds its place in pooja rooms of Hindus and temples.
Earlier, in 2019, the Chidambaram MP conducted the anti-Sanatana conference under the banner ‘Desam Kaapom’ held in Trichy. These were the words of Thol. Thirumavalavan ““All these leaders have congregated here to stop the Santana forces from coming to power. Only if Sanatana is abolished brotherhood will prevail.” Also in this conference were other leaders like DMK chief MK Stalin, Dravida Kazhagam chief K. Veeramani, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy, Former Union Minsiter Kodikunil Suresh, General Secretary of Communist Party of India Sudhakar Reddy, among others.
In November 2019, he was booked for hurting religious sentiments when he made a comment on temples. He had said “if a structure built like a dome it is a Mosque, if there is a tall tower like structure it is a Church, if there are ugly figurines it is a Hindu temple”.
In 2017, he had also called for the demolition of all Sivan and Vishnu temples and building Buddhist vihars.
However, this man shares a tryst with the very same religion he abuses. Come election time, one can spot Thol. Thirumavalavan frequenting Hindu temples and getting the blessings of the very same ‘paarpanars’ (Brahmins) against whom he spews venom. Here are some of the moments when Thiruma upheld Sanatana Dharma:
1. Chidambaram Temple Visit 2014
In 2014, Thol. Thirumavalavan visited the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and asked for the support of the Deekshithars for the Lok Sabha elections.
He was given a special darshan of the lord and prasadams. He later told the reporters that though he supported the take over the administration of the temple by the state, he had no personal animosity towards the Deekshitars.
2. Chidambaram Temple Visit 2016
In the run up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2016, Thirumavalavan visited the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple ‘to appeal to all sections of the society to get votes’.
Speaking to The Hindu, he had said “As an MP seeking re-election, I have to appeal to all voters in the constituency, irrespective of their background. I have nothing against the Dikshitars personally,”. At that time, Thirumavalavan had supported the DMK government’s attempt to take over the administration of the temple from the Dikshithars.
He had also said that he visited the temple in 2009 too for the same purpose – ‘to appeal to all voters’.
3. Pennadam Agaram Temple Kumbabishegam
In the year 2017, Thol. Thirumavalavan participate and performed the ‘Kumbabishegam’ for a temple in Agaram near Pennadam in Cuddalore district.
4. Anganur Mayavan Temple Kumbabishegam
Thirumavalavan had participated in the renovation and the consecration ceremony of his ‘kuladeivam’ temple at his native village Anganur in July 2018. He said that the Kumbabishegam happened with great fervour amidst the chants of Saiva Thirumurais and Vaishnavite Pasurams by Sivachariars.
5. Anganur Amman Temple Kumbabishegam
He also performed the Kumbabishegam of the Amman temple at his native village Anganur in Ariyalur district in October 2018.
6. Kumbabishegam at Sathiyavadi village
He again participated in Kumbabishegam of a Hindu temple in Sathiyavadi village in Cuddalore district in the year 2019.
7. Chidambaram Temple Visit for 2019 Lok Sabha elections
After the calling for the ‘uprooting of Sanatana Dharma’ in the Desam Kappom Maanadu in January 2019, Thirumavalavan visited Chidambaram temple in March 2019 in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections ‘for vote collection’.
— Thol. Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) March 30, 2019
8. Building another Sivan temple at Anganur
In February 2020, it was reported that Thirumavalavan had borne the entire responsibility of building a temple for Lord Shiva in his native Anganur after the people of his village came to him for asking his help.
Thirumavalavan had said “I have borne the entire responsibility of building a Sivan temple in my native village. You all have faith that Lord Shiva resides there and gives his blessings. I care for respecting people who have faith in God. My relatives are believers in God. Personally I never want to hurt the religious sentiments and the feelings of the people”.
This offer to help building a Sivan temple and the above statement came following the backlash he received for calling Hindu temples as structures with ‘ugly figurines’.
9. Funeral rites of his sister as per Sanatana Dharma
Thirumavalavan performed the 16th day rites following his sister’s death as per the Santana Dharma traditions by performing homam in the presence of a Hindu priest and chanting of hymns.
It is but strange that while Thirumavalavan upholds Sanatana Dharma in his personal life he resorts to spewing unwarranted hate against the same in public for the sake of consolidating and harvesting minority votes.
Now that he has upset the Hindus once again, and with hardly a couple of months for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, it won’t be a surprise if one bumps into Thirumavalavan at Chidambaram Natarajar temple in the coming weeks or if he participates in another temple Kumbabishegam. Again he will get away by winning another election. Again he will call for the uprooting of ‘Sanatana Dharma’. Again we will be writing about it.
A picture of an elderly woman has been going around in social media in which an elderly woman can be seen tied to the bed with cotton threads and lying on the ground abandoned. The woman identified as Kunjubheevi (66) is a COVID19 patient at the Thrissur Medical College and Hospital, a government run institution.
Kunjubheevi is a native of Kadangode and had tested positive for the Wuhan Virus on October 18. Her daughter-in-law and grand children too had tested positive for the virus.
Kunjubheevi was shifted to the Thrissur Medical College and Hospital on October 20 after doctors at the COVID-19 First Line Treatment Centre (CFLCT) in Kothanalloor detected high blood pressure in her.
The picture was reportedly taken by another COVID patient from the same room and had shown it to Kunjubheevi’s daughter-in-law. According to her relatives, her teeth are quite shaky and the wound on her head need seven stitches.
Following this, Kunjubheevi was admitted to a private hospital by her family members.
Her son who lives abroad has written a letter to the District Medical Officer, the Health Minister and the Medical College stating that the “patient was disoriented while being admitted and no proper safety measures were taken by the hospital staff and the doctors.”
Five metal statues, each half-foot-tall and other antiques have been found while digging a pit in a farmer’s field near Pattukottai in Thanjavur district.
Lenin (63), a farmer from Attivetti village near Pattukottai, dug a hole in his field to plant a guava sapling. At that time, while digging a pit to a depth of one foot, they found 3 half-foot-tall idols of Lord Vishnu, a statue of Goddess Amman and a statue of Alwar. Also found were 27 antique items including 4 pots, 5 bowls, 1 earthenware, plates.
In this regard, on the information provided by farmer Lenin, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Archaeology visited and inspected the statues and antiquities found there. The police then escorted the 27 items, including the statues, to the Pattukottai Tahsildar office.
A total of 27 artefacts have been unearthed with the help of other villagers. The period of the statues and antiques would be ascertained after a detailed investigation.
The Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK) has said that it is willing to extend support to Thol. Thirumavalavan’s protest against Manu Smriti *provided the Chidambaram MP also includes other religious texts like Bible, Quran, Buddhist Tripitakas, etc which demeans women.
Speaking to The Commune, IMK spokesperson Mr. Sathya Narayanan said “We congratulate and thank Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi head Mr. Thirumavalavan for taking up the issue. In fact, we urge him to be truly secular by calling for a ban on Quran, Bible and other religious texts which objectifies and derogates women.”
He said that Manu Smriti has been the punching bag for Dravidianists and other religious conversion agents adding that they selectively leave out verses that venerates women.
He said that poor Muslim women are treated as child producing machines and are subject to unimaginable cruelty by Nikkah Halala, Triple Talaq, female genital mutilation just because some of the Islamic texts sanction it. He mentioned that it is the prime duty of every modern right thinking human to voice out against this injustice as well. He also quoted how the Genesis chapter in Bible denigrates women.
Mr. Sathya added “99% of the Hindus do not know what Manu Smriti is or what its contents are. You can neither find the book in the pooja rooms of Hindus nor in temples. We don’t know why Thirumavalavan is calling for a ban on something that is neither relevant nor is being followed by anyone. But Quran (including other Islamic texts like Hadith) and Bible are being followed as is by its respective believers and they contain misogynistic content as well. Does Thirumavalavan not care about the plight of the women in these religions?”.
When asked how it was because Hinduism is the religion of the majority, people like Thirumavalan and other rationalists are attacking the Hindu faith, Mr. Sathya said that crime against women is an evil present in all societies that needs to be fought and that pinning it on one particular religion and selectively targeting one community exposes a dangerous and criminal mindset.
He further added that he was thankful to Thirumavalavan as his clarion call has made the people identify all the anti-national and urban-naxal gang to come together.
The Central Crime Branch of Chennai Police have registered a case against Member of Parliament from Chidambaram and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi head Thol. Thirumavalavan based on a complaint filed by BJP Tamil Nadu’s spokesperson Ashwathaman after a video of the MP saying “All women are prostitutes as per Hindu Dharma.. Manu Dharma..” went viral.
In yet another diatribe against Hindus, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) head Thol. Thirumavalavan speaking at an online seminar organized by Periyarist groups called Hindu women as prostitutes citing Manusmriti.
“If one were to look at how women are valued in Sanatana Dharma… how they are treated… how they are being suppressed for time immemorial… how they are being exploited… what does Sanatana Dharma say about women? Women are basically created as prostitutes by God. All women are prostitutes as per Hindu Dharma.. Manu Dharma.. All women are prostitutes. That is how they have been created by God. They are of lower status than men. This is applicable to Brahmin women as well as women of other castes. This is what the Sanatana Dharma says”. Thol. Thirumavalavan said.
This person who is a MP from the temple town of Chidambaram is pure evil he must be wiped out from the public life and anybody who is associating with him be it DMK or ADMK must also be wiped out from the public life. pic.twitter.com/rOwPszxPUo
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) October 21, 2020
Following this many on Twitter called out the leader for his abusive comments on women citing a text that is not even relevant to present times.
The hashtag #திருட்டுப்பயதிருமாவளவன் (Thirumavalavan the thief) started trending nationwide with many digging out his association with Islam and Christianity.
BJP Tamil Nadu leader Kushbhu Sundar locked horns with Thol. Thirumavalavan saying that the MP should watch his words as he holds a position of responsibility.
In response to the backlash, the Chidambaram MP has said that he would be conducted a state wide protest calling for a ‘ban on Manu Dharma’.
மகளிரை இழிவுசெய்யும் மனுஸ்மிருதியைத் தடை செய்! தமிழகமெங்கும் விடுதலைச் சிறுத்தைகள் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம்! பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட மக்களையும், ஆதிக்குடிகளையும்,பெண்களையும் மிகக்கேவலமாக இழிவுபடுத்துவதும் வெறுப்பைப் பரப்புவதுமான மனுஸ்மிருதியை தடை செய்ய வேண்டும்#RejectManupic.twitter.com/U1N016BGxL
Fringe elements like Naam Tamilar Katchi head Seeman, May 17 movement leader Thirumurugan Gandhi, Communist leader Sundaravalli, Dravida Kazhagam President K. Veeramani have extended their support to the clarion call issued by Thol. Thirumavalavan.
The Indu Makkal Katchi said that it was thankful to Thirumavalavan for bringing up the issue and has urged for the inclusion of other religious texts that contain misogyny including the Bible, Quran, Buddhist Tripitakas, etc.
While the entire country is aware of the valiant queen Rani Laxmibai, popularly known as ‘Jhansi ki Rani’, there are other woman freedom fighters from the southern part of the country who deserves just as much praise as Rani Laxmibai. One such fighter is Rani Chennamma, the Queen of Kittur who led a rebellion against the British in 1824.
Early Life
Rani Chennamma was born in the Kakati village located in present day Belagavi in Karnataka on October 23, 1778. She belonged to the Lingayat community and received training in horse riding, martial arts, archery and sword fighting from a very young age. Chennamma’s tales of bravery started resounding throughout the region right from her childhood.
At 15 years of age, she married Mallasarja Desai, the king of Kittur, thus becoming the Queen of Kittur. She had a son from her marriage with the king, both of whom died in 1824 and 1816 respectively. It was after this that she adopted Shivalingappa to make him her heir to the throne.
Doctrine of Lapse
The Doctrine of Lapse was devised by Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India (1848–56), to deal with questions of succession to Hindu Indian states. It was a corollary to the doctrine of paramountcy, by which Great Britain, as the ruling power of the Indian subcontinent, claimed the superintendence of the subordinate Indian states and so also the regulation of their succession. The Doctrine of Lapse primarily dictated that adopted children of Indian rulers did not carry the right to succeed them as the heir to the throne.
Chennamma’s declaration of Shivalingappa to be the rightful heir to the throne was a direct confrontation of the British challenging the Doctrine of Lapse, thus triggering the British to launch an attack on Kittur. Unfazed by this, she sent a letter to Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of the Bombay Presidency, who obviously turned it down. This was followed by demands to surrender her kingdom, as well as the vehement refusal of the British to accept Chennamma as the ruler which eventually led to the break out of a war.
One of the many wars before the 1857 war of Independence
The British attempted to carry out a rampage in Kittur with a force of 20,000 men and artilleries mainly from the third troop of the Madras Native Horse Artillery. They tried to pillage Kittur’s treasures and jewels, valued around ₹15 lakh but were unsuccessful.
In the first round of war, during October 1824, the British forces lost heavily. St John Thackeray, Collector and political agent, was killed in the war. Amatur Balappa, a lieutenant of Chennamma, was mainly responsible for his killing and losses to British forces. Two British officers, Sir Walter Elliot and Stevenson were also taken as hostages.
Following the humiliating defeat, the British called Rani Chennamma to the negotiating table to secure the hostages while giving a word that the war would not be continued. Rani Chennamma released them with an understanding with Chaplin that the war would be terminated. However, it turned out to be an act of deception.
The British forces returned with a much larger force and the second war was fought for 12 days by Chennamma and her allies. During the second assault, Munro, the Sub Collector of Solapur who was also the nephew of Thomas Munro was killed. Chennamma was also helped by her lieutenant Gurusiddappa in the war against the British.
Like in every story, two soldiers of her own army Mallappa Shetty and Vankata Rao turned out to be traitors. THey had mixed mud and cow dung in the gun powder for the canons.
However, Rani Chennamma fought fiercely with the aid of her lieutenant, Sangolli Rayanna, but was ultimately captured and imprisoned at Bailhongal Fort, where she died on 21 February 1829. Throughout her imprisonment Chennamma spent her time by reading Hindu scriptures and performing pooja.
Legacy
Every year, the Kittur Utsava is celebrated during the month of October to commemorate her first victory against the British forces.
On September 11, 2007, Rani Chennamma’s statue was unveiled at the Indian Parliament complex in New Delhi by the then President Pratibha Patil. The statue was sculpted by Vijay Gaur and was donated by the Kittur Rani Chennamma Memorial Committee. Two other statues of Rani Chennamma have also been installed at Bangalore and Kittur.
However, her burial place maintained by the state government agencies remains in a neglected state.
Even though our history pages have failed to recognize Kittur Chennamma, she remains alive as an inspirational woman through local legends and folklore.
Thol. Thiruma’s tryst with Sanatana Dharma
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi head Thol. Thirumavalavan is once again in news for his diatribes against one particular faith – Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma. Right from the beginning of his political innings, he has been vocal about ‘uprooting Sanatana Dharma’ and his punching bag remains the ‘Manu Smriti’ a text that is neither relevant to present times nor finds its place in pooja rooms of Hindus and temples.
Earlier, in 2019, the Chidambaram MP conducted the anti-Sanatana conference under the banner ‘Desam Kaapom’ held in Trichy. These were the words of Thol. Thirumavalavan ““All these leaders have congregated here to stop the Santana forces from coming to power. Only if Sanatana is abolished brotherhood will prevail.” Also in this conference were other leaders like DMK chief MK Stalin, Dravida Kazhagam chief K. Veeramani, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy, Former Union Minsiter Kodikunil Suresh, General Secretary of Communist Party of India Sudhakar Reddy, among others.
In November 2019, he was booked for hurting religious sentiments when he made a comment on temples. He had said “if a structure built like a dome it is a Mosque, if there is a tall tower like structure it is a Church, if there are ugly figurines it is a Hindu temple”.
In 2017, he had also called for the demolition of all Sivan and Vishnu temples and building Buddhist vihars.
However, this man shares a tryst with the very same religion he abuses. Come election time, one can spot Thol. Thirumavalavan frequenting Hindu temples and getting the blessings of the very same ‘paarpanars’ (Brahmins) against whom he spews venom. Here are some of the moments when Thiruma upheld Sanatana Dharma:
1. Chidambaram Temple Visit 2014
In 2014, Thol. Thirumavalavan visited the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and asked for the support of the Deekshithars for the Lok Sabha elections.
He was given a special darshan of the lord and prasadams. He later told the reporters that though he supported the take over the administration of the temple by the state, he had no personal animosity towards the Deekshitars.
2. Chidambaram Temple Visit 2016
In the run up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2016, Thirumavalavan visited the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple ‘to appeal to all sections of the society to get votes’.
Speaking to The Hindu, he had said “As an MP seeking re-election, I have to appeal to all voters in the constituency, irrespective of their background. I have nothing against the Dikshitars personally,”. At that time, Thirumavalavan had supported the DMK government’s attempt to take over the administration of the temple from the Dikshithars.
He had also said that he visited the temple in 2009 too for the same purpose – ‘to appeal to all voters’.
3. Pennadam Agaram Temple Kumbabishegam
In the year 2017, Thol. Thirumavalavan participate and performed the ‘Kumbabishegam’ for a temple in Agaram near Pennadam in Cuddalore district.
4. Anganur Mayavan Temple Kumbabishegam
Thirumavalavan had participated in the renovation and the consecration ceremony of his ‘kuladeivam’ temple at his native village Anganur in July 2018. He said that the Kumbabishegam happened with great fervour amidst the chants of Saiva Thirumurais and Vaishnavite Pasurams by Sivachariars.
5. Anganur Amman Temple Kumbabishegam
He also performed the Kumbabishegam of the Amman temple at his native village Anganur in Ariyalur district in October 2018.
6. Kumbabishegam at Sathiyavadi village
He again participated in Kumbabishegam of a Hindu temple in Sathiyavadi village in Cuddalore district in the year 2019.
7. Chidambaram Temple Visit for 2019 Lok Sabha elections
After the calling for the ‘uprooting of Sanatana Dharma’ in the Desam Kappom Maanadu in January 2019, Thirumavalavan visited Chidambaram temple in March 2019 in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections ‘for vote collection’.
8. Building another Sivan temple at Anganur
In February 2020, it was reported that Thirumavalavan had borne the entire responsibility of building a temple for Lord Shiva in his native Anganur after the people of his village came to him for asking his help.
Thirumavalavan had said “I have borne the entire responsibility of building a Sivan temple in my native village. You all have faith that Lord Shiva resides there and gives his blessings. I care for respecting people who have faith in God. My relatives are believers in God. Personally I never want to hurt the religious sentiments and the feelings of the people”.
This offer to help building a Sivan temple and the above statement came following the backlash he received for calling Hindu temples as structures with ‘ugly figurines’.
9. Funeral rites of his sister as per Sanatana Dharma
Thirumavalavan performed the 16th day rites following his sister’s death as per the Santana Dharma traditions by performing homam in the presence of a Hindu priest and chanting of hymns.
It is but strange that while Thirumavalavan upholds Sanatana Dharma in his personal life he resorts to spewing unwarranted hate against the same in public for the sake of consolidating and harvesting minority votes.
Now that he has upset the Hindus once again, and with hardly a couple of months for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, it won’t be a surprise if one bumps into Thirumavalavan at Chidambaram Natarajar temple in the coming weeks or if he participates in another temple Kumbabishegam. Again he will get away by winning another election. Again he will call for the uprooting of ‘Sanatana Dharma’. Again we will be writing about it.