Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Education Minister Rajmohan’s opening remarks at Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s public meeting in Karur on July 10 have sparked criticism over what many see as a selective display of religious inclusivity.
Opening his speech, Rajmohan said, “Vanakkam to everyone, Praise the lord, Assalamwalaikum and if we have to say in our language, ‘Pirappokkum ella uyirukkum sirappovva; Seidhozhil vaetrumai yaan’ (All human beings are absolutely equal by birth).”
The minister greeted Christians with “Praise the Lord” and Muslims with “Assalamwalaikum” before quoting the Thirukkural. However, there was no corresponding greeting acknowledging Hindus, despite the event being a political rally attended by people from all communities.
The criticism is not that Christians or Muslims were greeted. Rather, it is the entire omission of Hindus that has raised eyebrows. If political leaders choose to extend religious greetings from a public platform, should they not extend the same courtesy to all major faiths?
TVK came to power promising a new political culture and received support from voters across communities, including a large number of Hindus. Against that backdrop, Rajmohan’s remarks have led some to question whether public expressions acknowledging Hindu traditions are being consciously avoided.
The issue also can be compared with the previous DMK government, whose leaders repeatedly courted controversy through remarks on Sanatana Dharma. Those statements, including calls for its “eradication,” were criticised by many Hindus as being openly hostile to their faith.
TVK has positioned itself as an alternative to the DMK. However, while the rhetoric may be different, incidents such as this create the impression that Hindu identity will continue to receive less public acknowledgement than other religious identities.
No one expects government leaders to deliver religious sermons or privilege one faith over another. But if a speaker voluntarily chooses to greet Christians with “Praise the Lord” and Muslims with “Assalamwalaikum,” the absence of even a simple Hindu greeting becomes difficult to ignore.
A government that speaks of equality must be seen to practise it consistently. Selective recognition risks creating the perception that some religious identities deserve public acknowledgement while others do not.
Whether the omission was intentional or inadvertent, it has raised a familiar question in Tamil Nadu politics: why do public representatives readily acknowledge minority religious sentiments, yet so often avoid extending the same courtesy to Hindus?
For a party that came to power on promises of inclusive governance, such moments inevitably invite scrutiny. Equal respect cannot be selective; it must apply equally to every community.
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