NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, DEC 7
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly dismissed allegations that the state government acted against tradition during the Karthigai Deepam festival at Thiruparankundram hill, asserting that those calling the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government “anti-spiritual” were doing so with ulterior political motives.
Addressing an event in Madurai on Sunday, the Chief Minister stressed that the lamp was lit strictly as per long-standing customs, reiterating that the DMK government has done more for temples and Hindu heritage than any previous administration.
- Says DMK govt has upheld temple traditions, conducted over 3,000 consecrations
- Accuses Opposition of creating divisions for political mileage
- Questions Centre on stalled Madurai projects, including AIIMS and Metro Rail
- TN govt moves Supreme Court over HC directive on deepathoon lamp
“Lamp lit exactly as tradition demands”
“The lamp at Thiruparankundram has been lit exactly where it should be lit, exactly when it should be lit, in the proper place and at the proper time, as per tradition. Since we came to power, we have conducted consecration for more than 3,000 temples,” Stalin said.
He added: “If someone calls a government like this an enemy of spirituality, the true devotees will clearly know what the ulterior motive of those who say so is.”
Stalin said the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department had followed all norms during the festival. “Spirituality should give peace of mind, contentment, and keep people united. Creating divisions and splits for the political gain of a few and conspiring to fragment society is definitely not spirituality. It is politics — and that too, cheap, rotten politics,” he charged.
DMK vs Opposition: “We build, they block”
Stalin contrasted the DMK’s “development politics” with what he termed “distractions and conspiracies” by the Opposition.
“Out of jealousy and helplessness, they are resorting to unhealthy political conspiracies,” he said, adding that the government would foil “every false campaign”.
He also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party over key projects in Madurai.
“What happened to the AIIMS hospital that the Union BJP government announced for Madurai ten years ago? It still hasn’t come!”
Stalin accused the Centre of trying to stop the Keezhadi excavations.
“After we came to power, we took the research forward, built the Keezhadi Museum, and made it a global attraction for Tamils. But the Union BJP government is acting with hatred towards Tamil, even preventing the Keezhadi report from being released.”
On Madurai Metro Rail, Stalin questioned why the project was repeatedly rejected.
“According to their logic, how did Patna, Agra and Indore get metro rail approval? Why shouldn’t Madurai? Do you look down on Madurai people?” he asked.
Legal dispute over deepathoon lamp
The BJP and several Hindu outfits have demanded that the state government comply with a Madras High Court directive asking the administration to light a lamp at the deepathoon (lamp pillar) situated near a dargah on the hill.
The Tamil Nadu government has refused to implement the order and has approached the Supreme Court, placing the matter before the apex judiciary.
