VCK chief and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu’s iconic Chola emperors Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola, questioning the very “Tamilness” of their names and blaming ancient Tamil kings for the supposed cultural decline of the Tamil people.
Speaking at a public event, Thirumavalavan declared: “Is ‘Rajaraja’ a Tamil name? Is ‘Rajendra’ a Tamil name? They are all people who put northern-language names on themselves, who were mesmerised by the northern language (Sanskrit), who were lost in the sacrificial rituals and yajnas of Brahmins.”
He went further, stating bluntly: “I have no respect for any king. I do not see anyone as some great power. It was in the time of those kings that this country became worthless, became Sanskrit-ised, became Hindutva-ised.”
Thirumavalavan accused the Chera, Chola, Pandya, and Pallava dynasties of sidelining Tamil from its central place in temples and culture: “It was in the time when these Pandya kings, Chola kings, Chera kings, Pallava kings ruled that Tamil, which was in the sanctum sanctorum of the Tamil temples, was thrown out.” He added that these rulers “paved the way for the destruction of our Tamil and the destruction of our culture.”
The remarks have sparked sharp backlash, particularly from those who view the Chola legacy as a symbol of Tamil pride, military prowess, temple architecture, and global maritime influence.
Responding pointedly to the VCK leader’s comments, AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran hit back with a stinging counter-question saying: “Does he have the courage and boldness to ask if the names of former Chief Minister Mr. Karunanidhi and current Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin are Tamil names?”
தமிழும், தமிழ் கலாச்சாரமும் அழிய தமிழ் நில மன்னர்கள் தான் காரணமா? – விடுதலை சிறுத்தைகள் கட்சித் தலைவர் திரு தொல்.திருமாவளவன் அவர்களின் பேச்சு கடும் கண்டனத்திற்குரியது.
தமிழ் அழிவதற்கும், தமிழ் கலாச்சாரம் அழிவதற்கும் வழிவகுத்தவர்கள் சேர, சோழ, பாண்டிய, பல்லவ மன்னர்கள் என விடுதலை…
— TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) January 31, 2026
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