On 26 August 2024, VCK MP D. Ravikumar criticized the DMK government’s decision to introduce religious education on Lord Murugan in state-run education institutions. He voiced his concerns on resolutions passed at the recent Muthamizh Murugan conference organized by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) ) department in Palani on 24 August 2024.
He argued that integrating religious elements into the education system is unjust and an attempt to “push the Hindutva agenda” into state education.
Murugan Conference
The conference, inaugurated virtually by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, featured prominent figures, including judges, seers, and religious trust members. Over 40 attendees from countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Singapore participated, resulting in nearly 21 resolutions. These resolutions proposed measures such as holding literature competitions about Lord Murugan in schools and colleges under the HR&CE. State school students will recite the ‘Kandha Sashti Kavacham’ during the Sashti festival. HR&CE-affiliated educational institutions will include literature on Lord Murugan in their curriculum.
VCK objects to Murugan Bhakti in Education
Ravikumar criticized these commitments on his official X account. In a post, he said while the Murugan conference aimed to celebrate Tamil culture, its approach of incorporating religious elements into education could foster division rather than unity.
VCK MP Ravi Kumar stated, “The resolutions from the Murugan conference aimed at saffronizing education are shocking. On 24-25 August 2024, the Muthamizh Murugan conference, organized by the Tamil Nadu government in Palani, passed 21 resolutions. Among them:
- 5th Resolution: “It has been decided to award prizes to students in schools and colleges run by temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, focusing on Muruga Bhakti literature.”
- 8th Resolution: “It has been decided to require students to recite the Kandha Shasti Kavasam in Lord Murugan’s temples during the auspicious festive season.”
- 12th Resolution: “It has been decided that the government may recommend the establishment of special spiritual courses in colleges run by temples under the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Department, focusing on the glories and literature of Lord Muruga.”
These measures appear to be an attempt to implement the BJP government’s Hindutva agenda by introducing religious elements into secular education under the guise of celebrating Murugan. While the Hindu Religious Endowments Department performing its traditional functions is not criticized, imposing religion on the education sector violates the constitutional principle of secularism. This is highly objectionable.”
கல்வியைக் காவி மயமாக்கும் முருகன் மாநாட்டுத் தீர்மானங்கள் அதிர்ச்சி அளிக்கின்றன
===பழனியில் தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் சார்பில் நேற்றும் இன்றும் (24-25) நடைபெற்ற முத்தமிழ் முருகன் மாநாட்டில் இன்று 21 தீர்மானங்கள் நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டுள்ளன. அவற்றுள்,
5 ஆவது தீர்மானமாக : “ முருக பக்தி… pic.twitter.com/CcVaQY8cB4
— Dr D.Ravikumar (@WriterRavikumar) August 25, 2024
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