Chennai: Ganesh Chaturthi has gone political in Tamil Nadu with idols of the Hindu god made in the likeness of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay displayed at several pandals in Chennai. The BJP and a few other organisations aren’t amused; they say no one should be equated with a god, finding the deliberate likeness “disrespectful”.
The idols in question drew from Vijay’s kabaddi-playing character in the 2004 film Ghilli, scenes of him riding a bicycle during the election campaign, and the viral hand gesture linked with his appearance in the assembly. Similar installations were noted in other locations, including Korukkupet, R.K. Nagar and Kodungaiyur, depicting the chief minister’s journey from cinema to politics.
BJP state unit president Nainar Nagenthran on Tuesday strongly objected to the display of the idols, demanding the arrest of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries who arranged them as part of Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations. Nainar alleged that the idols amounted to disrespecting the deity.
“Transforming a religious icon of Lord Ganesha who is worshipped by millions of people across the country, into a political leader just to promote them and give political publicity demeans the spiritual sentiments of the people,” he said, also criticising Vijay’s “silence” and failure to condemn such acts.
Nagenthran called for the immediate removal of the idols, arguing that they undermined religious sentiment and traditions of worship. The idols have not yet been removed from the pandals.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also criticised the display of Vijay’s idols stating that turning a sacred festival into a platform for political self-interest degrades worship into a self-promotional tool. BJP leaders demanded that the TVK government act swiftly to remove the statues and book the organisers.
The Bharat Hindu Munnani (BHM) also objected to Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations using the chief Minister’s image in place of Hindu deities. The organisation lodged a police complaint, urging authorities to take action. The organisation also asked the chief minister to clarify that his photographs or gestures should not be used in ways that could defame Hinduism or Hindu deities.
The TVK has not responded to the controversy so far. Chief Minister Vijay had earlier extended Vinayagar Chaturthi greetings, wishing for the fulfilment of good deeds and prosperity for families, but he has not responded to the BJP’s charge of an insult to religious sentiment.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
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