Chennai, 31 May (H.S.):

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the display of a portrait of the revered Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes during the Thiruvalluvar Day celebrations held at Lok Bhavan in Guindy, Chennai.

The portrait depicted Thiruvalluvar wearing saffron attire, rudraksha beads around his neck, and sacred ash markings on his forehead. The image triggered criticism from several political leaders and cultural commentators, who argued that it sought to associate the universally respected poet with a particular religious identity.

Tamil Nadu Minister Arunraj strongly objected to the portrayal, asserting that Thiruvalluvar’s teachings transcend religion, caste, ethnicity, and national boundaries. In a post on social media platform X, the Minister said the author of the Tirukkural represented universal human values and should not be confined to any narrow ideological or religious framework.

“Depicting Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes at Lok Bhavan or any government institution is inappropriate. Thiruvalluvar belongs to all humanity, and his teachings are meant for people of every faith and background,” Arunraj said.

The Minister noted that while referring to the divine, Thiruvalluvar consciously used inclusive expressions such as Aadhi Bhagavan, Malarmisai Eginan, and Aravazhi Anthanan, without identifying any specific deity or religion. According to him, this reflected the poet’s intention to present ethical and moral principles that could be embraced universally.

Arunraj further argued that assigning a colour closely associated with a particular religion to Thiruvalluvar undermined the spirit of his philosophy. “Trying to confine Thiruvalluvar to a single colour is like attempting to contain the ocean in a pot,” he remarked, accusing certain groups of seeking political mileage by appropriating the poet’s image.

The controversy arose in the backdrop of the Vaikasi Anusham Thiruvalluvar Day celebrations organised at Bharathiar Mandapam in Lok Bhavan on Friday. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Arlekar presided over the event and paid tribute to Thiruvalluvar, describing the Tirukkural as a timeless guide to ethical living, good governance, and social harmony.

Notably, no minister from Chief Minister Vijay’s Cabinet attended the function, a development that has further intensified political discussions surrounding the event and the renewed debate over Thiruvalluvar’s legacy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman