Special Articles Tamil Nadu

The Troubled History Of EVR Statue At Srirangam

November 8, 2023
The Commune

16 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.

Cut to 222 years later, another historic proclamation was made by Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai – that he and his party would not bend their knee to a British stooge who sowed the seeds of anti-Hindu Dravidian politics.

This vow taken by Annamalai and the BJP during the En Mann En Makkal padayatra will go down in history as one of the defining moments of Tamil Nadu politics and is sure to send jitters down those who swear by the name of EVR. 

The Srirangam Temple

Srirangam (Tiruvarangam) is a place of great historical and cultural significance.This temple complex stands as the oldest, largest, and arguably the most significant of all temple structures in India. With some parts dating back to at least 1500-1800 years, its antiquity is firmly established, even being referenced in the ancient Tamil epic, Silapadikkaram. The temple holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, as all the Alwars (Vaishnava saints) have composed hymns praising its grandeur.

Srirangam’s architecture is a magnificent blend of various styles, and the sheer size and intricate sculptures within the temple are truly breathtaking. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, the temple stands as a remarkable testament to India’s rich history, showcasing the influence of past empires like the Chola and Vijayanagar dynasties.

In essence, the Srirangam Temple represents the pinnacle of Hindu civilization in southern India and holds great historical and cultural significance. It is precisely for this reason that the Dravidianists in Tamil Nadu choose Srirangam to satiate their anti-Hindu itch. 

What Did Annamalai Say?

Addressing a large crowd at Srirangam, Annamalai said “Outside this (Ranganathar) temple, once the DMK came to power in 1967, they kept a plaque. What does that plaque say? ‘Those who believe in God are idiots, cheats. Don’t believe in God.’ As if they’ve achieved something big, they’ve installed such a plaque with a flag. We Hindus are people who live peacefully following the path of dharma.” He further added, “Today, from this land of Srirangam, the BJP is taking a vow. Once the BJP comes to power in Tamil Nadu, the first task would be to remove that plaque and flagpole outside the temple. Statues of Azhwars and Nayanmars would be installed. Statues of Tamil scholars would be erected. Tamil scholar Thiruvalluvar’s statue will be installed. Those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom movement, their statues would be installed and worshipped. Not the statue that says ‘Those who believe in God are idiots’. As soon as the BJP comes to power, the BJP government would remove all such statues placed outside all temples.”

The EVR Statue At Srirangam

The placement of EVR’s statue in front of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, who is ironically known for breaking idols of Hindu gods, has been a subject of controversy. Then CM Karunanidhi had told the Assembly that the government had allotted the land for EVR statue way back in 1973.

It was in December 2006 that a 12-feet-high EVR statute outside Srirangam temple was installed be K. Veeramani, the head of the rabid anti-Hindu outfit Dravidar Kazhagam founded by EVR.

The event saw the attendance of A Raja, the then Union Minister for Environment and Forests, as well as State Ministers K N Nehru and N Selvaraj. The DK installed the statue, despite facing vehement protests from various Hindu organizations. These protests were rooted in concerns that placing the statue of an atheist and inscribing atheist slogans on the pedestal could potentially offend the religious sentiments of devout Hindus. Notably, several parts of Tamil Nadu experienced isolated incidents of violence after activists from the Indhu Makkal Katchi (IMK) damaged a life-size cement statue of Periyar on 7 December 2006.

Attack On Ayodhya Mandapam, Chennai

On the afternoon of 8 December 2006, around 3:30 PM, a distressing incident took place at Sri Ram Samaj, also known as Ayodhya Mandapam, a prominent Ram temple and religious centre located in the heart of Chennai, West Mambalam. Allegedly, a group of approximately 15 Dravidian activists arrived at the temple in two autorickshaws, armed with dangerous weapons, and issued threats to passersby, proclaiming, “Don’t spare anyone wearing sacred threads or marks like Tilak or Vibhuti on their foreheads, thrash them.”

Subsequently, they initiated an attack on the temple. Their actions began with the throwing of an acid bomb into the temple complex. The acid struck a screen and ignited a fire. When devotees rushed to extinguish the flames, the activists hurled a petrol bomb at both the murtis outside the temple and another one inside the temple itself. During this chaotic incident, they claimed their actions were in retaliation for the previous damage to the EVR statue situated outside the renowned Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam.

In addition to their assault on the temple, the activists also targeted individuals nearby including a poor Brahmin who sold pooja items on the footpath outside the temple as well as the flower seller. 

Slipper Garland For Sri Rama In Hosur

In Hosur, located in the Krishnagiri district, a distressing incident unfolded where a picture depicting the coronation of Lord Sri Ram was disrespected. A group of activists affiliated with the Pudiya Jananayaka Munnetra Kazhagam (New Democratic Progressive Party) gathered at the Sri Ram temple near the Gandhi Statue to condemn the damage to the statue. During their protest, these activists placed a picture of Sri Rama outside the temple and garlanded it with slippers. They then proceeded to carry the picture in a procession before setting it on fire near the Gandhi statue. In response to this action, a large number of supporters from the BJP, Hindu Munnani, and RSS arrived at the scene.

Tensions escalated, leading to a confrontation between the supporters of EVR and those of the aforementioned groups. During this clash, Parsuraman, the one who set the picture on fire, sustained a head injury, which resulted in bleeding. Following this altercation, the BJP and its supporters blocked the roads and demanded immediate action be taken in response to the incident.

Attack & Ransacking Of Shankara Math In Salem

In the Maravaneri area of Salem, the Kanchi Shankara Math runs a math and a vedapatasala. To protest against the damage inflicted on the statue in Srirangam, they attacked the math, ransacked the premises. 

The activists went on to ransack the premises, causing extensive destruction. Tables, chairs, and pooja items were ruthlessly smashed and scattered. Pictures of Shankaracharya Jayendra and Vijayendra Saraswathis were not spared and were shattered into pieces. Their rampage extended to include telephones, tube lights, and bulbs.

In the aftermath of this unfortunate event, authorities arrested five activists associated with the Periyar Dravidian Party, Tamil Youth Party, and Tamil National Party.

Setting Fire To Sri Rama Picture In Srirangam

Around 50 individuals, affiliated with the People’s Arts and Literature Association, gathered near the Srirangam temple, carrying images of Lord Ram. They staged a protest by setting fire to these images, leading to heightened tension in the area. The police promptly intervened, arresting those responsible for burning the image of Lord Ram and taking them to the police station. The Dravidar Kazhagam decided to replace the damaged statue of Periyar with a five-and-a-half-foot-tall bronze statue.

Vinayakar Temples Attacked, Murtis Desecrated Near Villupuram

In Sankarapuram, located in Villupuram district, a Vinayaka temple near the taluk office fell victim to vandalism.

Miscreants, allegedly affiliated with the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, uprooted and subsequently smashed two Ganesh murtis. Another nearby temple, Shakti Vinayakar, was also subjected to damage, with the Vimana tower and Nandi statues dismembered. The town’s residents, led by supporters of the RSS and Hindu Munnani who had come to offer morning prayers, were left in shock by the destruction. In response, they gathered in large numbers, blocking the Tiruvannamalai-Kallakurichi road. The miscreants left a note claiming that this act was in retaliation for the damage caused to the EVR statue and an Ambedkar statue. 

Raghavendra Swamy Temple Ransacked In Erode

In Erode, the Raghavendra Brindavanam is situated in the Kaarai Vaaykal area on Agraharam Street. Preparations were underway for the Sayarakshai Puja. At around 5:15 PM that day, a group of volunteers associated with the Dravidar Kazhagam calmly entered the temple. Suddenly, they launched an attack on anyone in their sight, causing destruction wherever they could. They proceeded to enter the sanctum sanctorum and removed the presiding deity, Sri Ram, who was positioned between the murtis of Sitadevi and Hanuman. The murti was uprooted and taken to the street outside, where it was mercilessly smashed with a hammer.

During this disturbing incident, a priest named Narasimhan attempted to intervene and was subsequently beaten. A 60-year-old priest named Venkatraman Acharya was also assaulted, and his “kudumi” (Shikha/tuft) was removed while his sacred thread was cut.

The temple cook, Balaji, and several others fell victim to the violence. The murtis and items prepared for the evening’s “Oonjal Sevai” were vandalised. Upon learning of this incident, hundreds of devotees gathered at the site.

Volunteers from the RSS and Hindu Munnani protested to the police, while some devotees openly expressed their grief. Seven individuals affiliated with the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Iyakkam were detained in connection with these distressing events.

Attack On Individuals

A group of individuals in Mettur including Chemplast Industries Vice President Parthasarathy and four others, was subjected to an attack. Members associated with the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) were subsequently apprehended in connection with this incident.

Tamil Nadu has not been as peaceful as it is showcased to be. Anyone speaking or acting against the Dravidian ideologues is attacked and free speech suppressed. This was the sequence of events that happened after a statue was damaged.

Will Annamalai’s vow see the light of day? Only time will tell. 

(with inputs from the Reality Check India website)

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