TVK Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development, Dr. J. Muhammad Parvez, visited the Bhairavar Temple in Thirumayam and offered prayers days after attracting criticism for preventing a woman from applying a tilak on his forehead during a public event in Pudukkottai.
Parvez had recently attended the inauguration of a buttermilk distribution camp organised by the Dawah wing in Pudukkottai district. During the event, women welcomed him with traditional aarathi and attempted to apply a tilak on his forehead.
However, the Minister stopped the woman from placing the tilak, with videos of the incident quickly spreading on social media. The visuals triggered criticism from several quarters, with critics accusing him of rejecting a customary Hindu form of welcome.
Amid the controversy, Parvez on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 visited the Bhairavar Temple, also known locally as the Thirumayam Kavalar Kovil, in Pudukkottai district.
During the visit, the Minister offered prayers, performed rituals, broke a coconut before the deity and received a tilak on his forehead. Photographs of Parvez worshipping at the temple and wearing the tilak were subsequently released and circulated on social media.
The temple visit comes shortly after the criticism surrounding the Pudukkottai incident, leading many observers to view it as a response to the backlash generated by his earlier refusal to accept the traditional tilak.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
