Stories
Ganesha Idols Resembling CM Vijay Spark Political Row; BJP Demands Arrest of TVK Functionaries
- •Ganesha idols allegedly modelled on Tamil Nadu CM Vijay have sparked a political controversy in Chennai's Korukkupet.
- •Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran demanded the immediate removal of the idols, stating they "cheapen the spiritual sentiments of the people."
- •Nagenthran criticized the depiction as disrespectful to Lord Ganesha, accusing TVK functionaries of using religious icons for political publicity.
- •The BJP chief also criticized CM Vijay for his alleged silence on the matter, claiming it allowed such acts to continue.
- •Nagenthran called for legal action and the arrest of TVK functionaries responsible for displaying the idols, citing misuse of religious images for self-promotion.
Key Questions Answered
A political row erupted after Ganesha idols were installed in Chennai's Korukkupet and RK Nagar areas modeled after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay. The BJP has strongly condemned the displays, arguing that depicting a revered deity in the likeness of an individual for political publicity demeans the religious sentiments of devotees. The BJP has demanded the immediate removal of the statues and the arrest of the TVK functionaries responsible.
The Ganesha idols, referred to by fans as "Vijay Vinayagar," were designed in styles associated with Chief Minister Vijay. Visuals showed the idols dressed in black suits and posed in styles linked to Vijay's recent political gestures. Additionally, some of the statues drew inspiration from characters and scenes in his popular 2004 Tamil film Ghilli, in which Vijay played Saravanavelu and Trisha Krishnan portrayed Dhanalakshmi.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran has demanded the immediate removal of the Vijay-themed Ganesha idols, stating they disrupt religious sentiments and worship traditions. He has urged the state government to take legal action and arrest the TVK functionaries responsible for displaying them, accusing them of misusing religious icons for personal glorification and political publicity. Nagenthran also criticized Chief Minister Vijay for failing to condemn the use of these idols.
