Tamil Nadu Minister SS Sivasankar’s controversial remarks on the existence of Lord Ram ignited a political firestorm. During an event celebrating the birth anniversary of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola in Ariyalur, the DMK leader declared, “There is no historical existence to prove Lord Ram’s existence.” He emphasized the importance of celebrating the achievements of historical figures like Rajendra Chola, citing evidence in the form of temples, ponds, and inscriptions. Sivasankar went on to dismiss the notion of Lord Ram as an avatar, labeling it as a ploy to manipulate history and elevate another narrative.
Responding to these remarks, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai questioned the DMK’s sudden interest in Lord Ram. He pointed out the incongruity between Sivasankar’s claims and the recent declaration by DMK Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy, who had praised Lord Ram as a champion of social justice and secularism. Annamalai accused the DMK of hypocrisy, highlighting their prior opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s installation of the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex. He sarcastically suggested that the DMK ministers should engage in a discussion to reconcile their contrasting views on Lord Ram. The BJP leader expressed confidence that Sivasankar could gain valuable insights from his colleague regarding the figure of Lord Ram.
