DMK Member of Parliament Selva Ganapathy has come under criticism following remarks he made about Hindu worship practices during a recent public event held in Salem.
According to visuals that have since circulated widely, Selva Ganapathy referred to mantras and slokas chanted during pujas and temple worship and spoke in a manner perceived as ridiculing ritual practices.
While referring to the recitation of sacred chants, he remarked: “Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dheemahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat…
Shivaya Namah… Om Shivaya Namah… Om Shiva Shiva Shiva Om…
Ekandaya Vidhye Vakratundaya Dheemahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat…
Om Shreem Kreem Kling Ganapathaye Vara Varada Sarvajanam Me Vashamanaya Swaha…”
“What I said – I don’t understand it, you don’t understand it either.”
These comments, true to the Dravidianist ideology mocked the chants considered sacred by Hindu devotees.
Footage of the speech was shared on social media, following which opposition voices and Hindu organisations raised objections.
An elected representative making such remarks ridiculing the worship methods of a religion is becoming more common under Dravidian model of governance.
Former DMK minister K Ponmudi had earlier faced backlash and lost his ministerial position after making controversial remarks relating to Hindu beliefs.
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