Latest news with #MuruganConference
India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu Minister mocks BJP's Murugan conference, questions meet's intent
Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu on Monday hit out at the BJP over the recently concluded Murugan Conference in Madurai district, questioning its intent and ridiculing the involvement of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan to criticism levelled by BJP leaders and the show of strength at the conference, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Sekar Babu dismissed it as an internal contest for popularity between Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran and former state president K Annamalai. advertisement'Nainar and Annamalai are fighting over who is more popular within the state BJP. The conference was held due to this competition only. Let the result come and we will react,' he said. The Minister questioned the relevance of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to Tamil Nadu politics, stating, 'Who is Pawan Kalyan? What relation does he have with Tamil Nadu?' He added, 'If necessary, let Pawan Kalyan choose a constituency in Chennai and contest. After he wins, let him speak anything and we shall listen.'Accusing the BJP of using religion and identity to divide society, Sekar Babu asserted that it would be left to the people of Tamil Nadu to decide whether they preferred inclusive development or what he described as the BJP's 'divisive' politics. 'People will decide in 2026 if they want us or if they want the BJP–Sanghi group which lays a stage and attempts to divide people in the name of religion, language and race,' he Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, addressing the Murugan Conference in Madurai on Sunday, delivered a sharp warning to those he claimed provoke or mock Hindu beliefs. In a veiled attack on the DMK, he said political leaders promote dangerous separatist ideas and selectively target Hinduism in the name of secularism. Recalling his own religious upbringing, he questioned why Hindu practices are criticised while other religions are spared. Asserting Lord Murugan's pan-Indian relevance, he said Hindus must unite against disrespect. 'If a sadhu gets angry, even a forest cannot stand,' he said, urging pride and courage in one's faith. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
India Today
17 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
"Don't try to provoke us" Pawan Kalyan calls for Hindu unity at Murugan Conference
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has issued a strong statement during his address at the Murugan Conference in Madurai, warning those who, in his view, "mock or provoke" Hindu beliefs, particularly devotees of Lord Murugan. His remarks, seen as a veiled criticism of the DMK, accused certain political leaders of promoting "dangerous separatist ideas" and selectively targeting Hindu practices under the guise of naming the DMK directly, Pawan Kalyan referred to a political leader who had questioned why the Murugan Conference was being held in Tamil Nadu instead of states like Uttar Pradesh. Recalling his own religious upbringing, he said, 'I went to Sabarimala at the age of 14. I went to school with vibhuti (holy ash) on my forehead. But something changed as they asked why I was wearing it as Hindus are secularists. They have a problem if someone is a Hindu as they call it religious fanatic. I have the right to celebrate my religion. Who are you to question it? Even if you don't respect my religion, do not disrespect it."Pawan Kalyan also strongly criticised what he described as a tendency among some self-proclaimed atheists and secularists to only mock Hinduism while remaining silent on other religions. "Can you ask the same questions about religions that originated in Arabia?"advertisementCalling Lord Murugan not just a Tamil deity, but a pan-Indian one revered by different names across regions, the Deputy CM urged devotees to remain united in the face of what he described as repeated provocations."Murugan is the Tamil God, but he is everywhere. Karthikeya in the North, Subramania in Andhra and Karnataka. I pray to him and that is why the Murugan Conference is held in Madurai", said Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan.'If a sadhu gets angry, even a forest cannot stand,' he warned, adding that Hindus should not be ashamed of expressing pride in their went on to condemn past instances where devotional hymns like Kanda Sashti Kavasam were allegedly mocked, describing such actions as an attack on the sentiments of Tamil Hindus. "Let us take a resolve. Let us get together. Love is not weakness but a symbol of courage. Murugan destroyed Surapadman but as this is kali yugam, let us turn into Murugan and destroy evil," he said. "Secularism is a convenient word for those who don't believe in God. But our atheists, instead of not believing in any God, don't believe only in Hindu Gods. Secularists show no discrimination against any other religion except Hinduism. They don't have the gut to point at any religion except Hinduism. Constitution gave them the greatest weapon called freedom of speech which they use against our Gods," he added. Must Watch
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP conducting this for political gains: TN Minister Sekar Babu on Murugan conference in Madurai
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 19 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Minister Sekar Babu has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is conducting the Murugan Conference in Madurai for political gains. Speaking to ANI, Sekar mentioned that they did not call any politicians and ask for money from any devotees when they conducted the conference. 'The Tamil Nadu state government didn't call any politicians, and we didn't ask for any money from devotees when we conducted the Lord Murugan Conference. They (BJP) are conducting this conference for political gains,' Sekar Babu said. However, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran neglected DMK's claims and said that the conference is completely spiritual. 'This conference is completely Spiritual. I am not totally aware whether such a conference has been organised earlier. There is no politics in this... any party can participate in this... We are inviting everyone to this, and it's not even 1% political... I have mentioned earlier calling for unity for alliance, but we haven't received any reply so far from others,' Nagendran said on Tuesday. Earlier on Wednesday, DMK's youth wing, Dravidar Kazhagam, held a protest against the Union government for not recognising the Keeladi excavations report. This came after the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on June 10 said the reports submitted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who headed two phases of excavations and unearthed an ancient civilisation in Keeladi in the Sivaganga district, are not technically well supported. 'Further scientific studies are required to validate the findings,' he said. Recently, the ASI had asked Ramakrishna to resubmit his report on the excavation after making necessary corrections to make it 'more authentic' and to take further action. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday slammed the Centre for not validating an archaeological report that unearthed an ancient civilisation in Keeladi in the Sivaganga district. 'How many obstacles are there for our Tamil race? For thousands of years, we have resisted all of them, establishing the greatness of our heritage with the support of science!' Stalin said in a post on X. 'Yet, some minds still refuse to accept it. It is not the reports that need correction; it is some hearts! Tomorrow, in Veeranoor, Madurai, let us gather in large numbers at the protest organised by DMK Student Wing to express the sentiments of Tamil Nadu to the Union Government! Let us make them correct their ways,' he added. (ANI)
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Five lakh devotees expected at Lord Murugan conference in Madurai on June 22: BJP's Nainar Nagendran
The Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu unit is preparing for a massive show of spiritual solidarity, with state president Nainar Nagendran announcing that the upcoming Murugan Conference in Madurai is expected to draw over 500,000 devotees. The event, scheduled for June 22, will be held near the historic city that holds deep cultural and religious significance for Lord Murugan devotees. Addressing the media at the party's state headquarters, Kamalalayam, in Chennai, Nagendran said that despite the DMK government's 'efforts to impose unnecessary restrictions,' the spiritual fervor among devotees remains unshaken. 'Lakhs of Murugan bhakts are expected to congregate in Madurai, reinforcing Tamil Nadu's deep-rooted spiritual traditions,' he stated. The conference will see the participation of top political leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, both of whom have confirmed their presence. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary K. Palaniswami has also been formally invited as a guest, reflecting the larger unity among alliance partners on spiritual platforms. Nainar Nagendran reiterated that the event is not political. 'This is a spiritual gathering, a celebration of faith in Lord Murugan. It should not be viewed through a political lens,' he emphasised. However, he added, 'Any political movement that aligns itself with the spiritual aspirations of the people will naturally find resonance and success.' The Murugan Bhakts' Conference, conceptualised by the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, aims to unify devotees of Lord Murugan -- widely worshipped across Tamil Nadu, particularly in hill temples like Palani, Thiruchendur, Swamimalai, and Pazhamudircholai. The deity is regarded as the Tamil god of war and wisdom, and Murugan devotion forms a core element of Tamil Saivite tradition. The event will also feature cultural programmes, devotional singing, and the screening of a specially produced theme video and song, which was released earlier by senior BJP leaders, including former Governor and party leader Tamilisai Soundararajan. Organisers said that arrangements are being made to accommodate the large influx of devotees expected to arrive from across the state and neighbouring regions, with the conference set to mark a major spiritual milestone in Tamil Nadu's devotional calendar.
India Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Murugan conference row: DMK calls it Sanghi event, BJP defends it as devotion
A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu ahead of the Murugan Devotees Conference scheduled for June 22, with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) dismissing the event as a politically motivated gathering, and the BJP defending it as a celebration of Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at a party meeting in Madurai on Sunday, called on devotees to attend the conference in large numbers to display unity. He criticised the DMK for allegedly undermining religious sentiments, linking it to the recent controversy over Thiruparankundram Hill, one of the six sacred abodes (Padai Veedu) of the deity Murugan. advertisement'Our Madurai has ancient history which goes back 3000 years. I have come here. DMK has dared to call Thiruparankundram Hill associated with God Murugan as Sikandar Hill. For years devotees of God Murugan have prayed here. I urge the people of Tamil Nadu to attend the Murugan Devotees Conference in large numbers and show them the devotees' strength,' Shah said. The controversy surrounding the Thiruparankundram Hill initially erupted when police barred members of the Muslim community from transporting goats and hens to the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, located atop the hill on January 22. The police stated that while prayers were permitted, animal sacrifices were not allowed. The hill also houses the revered Murugan Temple, situated close to the Dargah, adding a layer of religious sensitivity to the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments PK Sekar Babu dismissed the conference as a political event. 'This is a pure Sanghi and political conference. We conducted the conference where devotees of God Murugan from 27 countries participated. We did not plan to bring a crowd, seek money, arrange 2000 buses but even then 7 to 8 lakh people attended. But they planned this conference with intention to use it to divide people in the name of religion,' he to Sekar Babu's comments, senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan accused the DMK of fearing the BJP's religious outreach. 'People like Sekar Babu are seeing our devotion-filled Murugan Conference with fear. Be it a political conference or religious conference, our only intention is to do good for the people and make devotion prosper. Why did you conduct Murugan Conference when you do not believe in him? This is only creating doubts in people's minds,' she MP A Raja also criticised the BJP's plans, alleging that the conference was being organised for political reasons. 'They are doing Murugan Manadu (conference) on June 22 purely for political gains and to create differences between Hindus and Muslims. They want to turn Hindus against Muslims and Christians. This conference is not to unite Hindus or for Lord Murugan. The people of Madurai will reject this. Amit Shah tried creating differences between communities in Tamil Nadu. The people of Tamil Nadu will never accept these kind of statements,' he said. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
