October 30 is observed as Thevar Jayanthi (birth cum death anniversary of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar) in Tamil Nadu. On this day, political leaders cutting across ideologies and across parties pay respects to one of the greatest nationalist leaders from Tamil Nadu by visiting the statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar at Nandanam, Chennai or at the Muthuramalinga Thevar Temple at Pasumpon.
One of the reasons why this event is closely observed and leaders make it a point to visit the statue to pay respects to the Muthuramalinga Thevar is because the Thevar community is one of the powerful dominant communities having a large votebank.
On this day, ‘Guru Poojai’ is conducted in remembrance of Muthuramalinga Thevar at the temple cum memorial located at Pasumpon and also at different places across the state.
Like in every Hindu temple, ‘karpoora aarthi’ is performed and the ‘vibhudhi’ and ‘kum kum’ (vermilion) prasadam (offering) is shared with the people which is to be applied on the forehead.
Here is a comparison of late former Chief Minsiter J. Jayalalithaa and the present DMK chief MK Stalin paid their respects to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.
The golden plate that covers the idol of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at the memorial was donated by late former Chief Minsiter J. Jayalalithaa.
In the above video, Jayalalithaa can be seen performing pooja to the gold plating and also offering prayers. She respectfully bows down and receives the prasadam. She also applies the vibudhi-kumkum prasadam on her forehead.
And this is how DMK chief MK Stalin paid respects this year.
#தேவரை_அவமதித்த_ஸ்டாலின்
Again 😁 pic.twitter.com/FWRh2SL9Fp— தி.மு.க கேடு தரும் (@DMKkills) October 31, 2020
Stalin who had received the ‘vibudhi’ prasadam had rubbed it off his hands without even applying it on his forehead in order to stick to his ‘rationalist’ credentials.
Following this, netizens have taken to social media lambasting the DMK chief saying that he has disrespected and insulted Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.
The hashtag #StalinInsultsThevar (#தேவரை_அவமதித்த_ஸ்டாலின்) is now trending nationwide.