Tamil Nadu: Lakhs Attend Muruga Meet As BJP, RSS Leaders Call For Hindu Unity And End To Discrimination

In a striking display of faith and solidarity, lakhs of devotees thronged the Muruga Bhaktargal conference in Tamil Nadu on Sunday (22 June), transforming the event into both a spiritual spectacle and a pointed sociopolitical statement. Organised by Hindu Munnani, the gathering’s sheer scale, as reported by The Hindu, sent a ripple through the state’s political landscape.

Amidst the sea of devotees, BJP's former Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai took the stage with a message that resonated well beyond the venue. He described the turnout as a “warning bell” for those in power, insisting that the concerns of Hindus could no longer be ignored. His words, echoing across the crowd, underscored what he called mounting challenges faced by the community in both public and political spheres.

Building on this momentum, Annamalai invoked the many facets of Lord Murugan—embodying love, wisdom, family, victory, and peace—to urge political leaders to reconsider their approach to Hindu issues.

“We usually forgive,” he declared, “but we’ve faced continuous attacks on our way of life. Politicians win with Hindu votes but speak against us, assuming we won’t unite.” He further criticised restrictions on Hindu symbols in public life, asserting that children should be free to wear vibhuti and rudraksha in schools. Drawing a sharp global comparison, Annamalai highlighted the unity of the Jewish community despite their small numbers, suggesting a lesson for Hindus in India.

Shifting the focus inward, RSS leader R Vanniarajan addressed the enduring divisions within Hindu society. He called untouchability a “sin” that had long weakened the community from within, urging for reforms to guarantee equal access to temples, cremation grounds, and water bodies for all.

Adding another layer to the call for unity, Hindu Munnani’s Bhaktavachalam reflected on the unique challenges facing Tamil Nadu’s Hindus. Unlike elsewhere in India, he lamented, worship in the state remains fragmented. “Tamil Nadu has bhakti, but no shakti,” he observed, urging monthly recitations of Kandha Sashti Kavasam as a means to foster collective strength and spiritual cohesion.

As the conference drew to a close, the message from leaders across the Hindu spectrum was unmistakable: a renewed call for cultural solidarity, social reform, and a united path forward for Tamil Nadu’s Hindu community.