Tamil film director Perarasu has took a jibe at fellow Dravidian director Ameer Sultan for his comments regarding the upcoming Murugan Devotees’ Conference in Madurai. Perarasu questioned Ameer’s right to comment on Hindu religious matters, pointing out that Ameer, who follows a different faith, often aligns with DMK and its allies when criticizing Hindu practices under the guise of secularism.
Ameer, who recently participated in a human chain protest organized by the DMK’s ally VCK in Madurai, claimed the Murugan conference was an attempt to stir communal tensions. “Murugan is not our enemy; it’s those who exploit Murugan’s name for political gains who are the problem,” Ameer stated during the protest, emphasizing his opposition to what he called “Sanghi politics.”
In response, Perarasu, speaking to Tamil media, questioned Ameer’s authority to comment on Hindu religious affairs. “You are not a man to advice another religion and you should not. If you are a (practicing) Hindu with devotion to God, we might consider your perspective as a general opinion, but you follow a different religion and faith then what do you have to do Hindu matters?”
He also added that a Hindu who criticizes their own faith is considered an atheist. But someone who follows one religion and interferes in the practices or beliefs of another isn’t being secular they’re acting as a religious advocate with a bias. If there are issues within your own faith, speak about those. But offering unsolicited advice about someone else’s religion is unnecessary and inappropriate.
"வேற்று மதத்தவரான உங்களுக்கு இந்து மதத்துக்குள் என்ன வேலை” அமீர் பேச்சுக்கு இயக்குநர் பேரரசு கருத்து#AmeerSultan | #Perarasu | #MuruganMaanadu pic.twitter.com/V1kh8vWFfP
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) June 21, 2025
This remark was directed at Dravidianist filmmaker Ameer Sultan, who took part in a human chain protest in Madurai. The demonstration was organized by the Madurai Religious Harmony People’s Federation—a coalition comprising leftist groups, Islamic organizations, and human rights activists—in opposition to the Murugan Devotees’ Conference scheduled for 22 June in Madurai.
During the protest, Ameer stated, “Spirituality is something that always endures in people’s hearts. The religions may differ; it could be Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity. But that spirituality must remain with the people and should never fall into the hands of politicians. Murugan has been a deity long-revered by Hindu people. It’s dangerous for Sanghis coming from North India to try and appropriate the Murugan of Tamil Nadu. They’ve already designated a god for each state – Puri Jagannath, Ram, Hanuman, and various others. When you go to Kerala, it’s Ayyappan, and so on. They’ve already instigated religious riots in all those places. It hasn’t happened in Tamil Nadu yet, though they’ve tried and failed in some areas. Lastly, they’re trying to win over the people of Madurai, which is very dangerous. It’s our duty to state that Murugan belongs to the people, not to political parties.”
The Murugan Devotees’ Conference, scheduled for 22 June in Madurai, is being organized by the Hindu Munnani. Preparations are complete, and devotees have already begun to arrive. Prominent leaders including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan are expected to attend.
Ameer’s comments during the protest have sparked controversy and attracted criticism online on religious boundaries and selective secularism. Perarasu’s sharp retort adds fuel to the ongoing ideological clash between nationalist and Dravidianist voices in Tamil Nadu’s cultural and political discourse.
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