Responding to a question by a journalist about the distribution of pamphlets of the Manusmriti by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirmuvalavan, Bharatiya Janata Party state president K Annamalai said that Thirumavalavan is doing so because he is "jobless".
The VCK had set a target to distribute 1 lakh pamphlets of the Manusmriti all over Tamil Nadu in protest against the permission granted to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct its route marches on 6 November in three locations — Cuddalore, Perambalur and Kallakurichi.
Thirumavalavan called the RSS and BJP as "fascist organisations that believe in the Manusmriti". He said that the books being distributed would contain those verses of the text that discriminate and use demeaning language about women and lower castes.
Elaborating on his point, Annamalai said that the Manusmriti was written long time ago and today's version was riddled with lies. He added that the BJP had never endorsed the Manusmriti.
He said that the objective of the first translation itself was doubtful as it was first translated into English by a British Christian who could have been driven by religious and imperial motives. He also said that subsequently, the text has seen many additions, deletions and translations to suit political objectives.
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