November 16, 2020 11:38:48 am
Tamil Nadu BJP Chairman L Murugan, along with party workers, participates in the party’s ‘Vetrivel Yatra’ in Chennai. (PTI photo)
Friction between the ruling AIADMK party and its BJP ally in Tamil Nadu has widened when the former’s spokesman, ‘Namadhu Amma’, hit the saffron party.Vetrivel Yatra ‘ stating that processions that aim to break peace and harmony in the state will not be allowed.
In a column titled ‘Be it Karuppar Kootam or those holding the saffron flag,’ Namadhu Amma said: “The peaceful state of Tamil Nadu will not allow processions or yatras that aim to divide people on the basis of caste and religion. Those who are interested should understand this. Time and time again, Tamil Nadu, the cradle of the Dravidian movement, has shown to the entire country that religions are there to guide human beings and not to spread hatred. “
With Interior Minister Amit Shah scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu next week, Namadhu Amma’s column has created ripples in both camps.
Editorial | BJP’s yatra politics is an indicator of its strategy to build a base in Tamil Nadu, where political space has recently opened up.
The newspaper further added that AIADMK, which is beyond caste and religion, will not allow the vote bank’s politics based on religion. “One must understand unity and integrity in a peaceful state like Tamil Nadu. Either Karuppar Kootam or those holding the saffron flag, ”the newspaper said.
The AIADMK government had denied permission for the yatra in view of the Covid-19 situation and possible communal tensions, as feared in multiple complaints from opposition parties and two PILs filed in HC against the yatra. However, the BJP leaders claimed that Lord Murugan had given them permission and had the yatra. The judiciary strongly criticized the saffron party for violating SOPs in the period of the pandemic.
The month-long rally, visiting six abodes of Lord Muruga and modeled on the rath yatra, was scheduled to begin on November 6 at the Tiruttani temple, north of Tamil Nadu, and culminate at the Tiruchendur temple, in the southern part of the state. The Vel Yatra is seen as an attempt by the BJP to consolidate Hindu votes in the state.
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