Surprised By DMK’s Murugan Conference? Don't Be — It’s Just A Tactical Engagement With Hinduism

A lot of people have been surprised on seeing that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government through the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Department is conducting an international conference on Lord Muruga (Karthikeya).

This is because just around a year ago, the DMK scion, Udhayanidhi Stalin, had called for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma by comparing it to diseases like dengue and malaria, and leaders of the party often talk about separating religion and politics.

While some drew connections to an alleged increase in closeness between the DMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) due to the praise showered on former chief minister M Karunanidhi recently, others said that this ‘change’ is a victory of Sanatana Dharma.

The surprise, however, is mainly because not many know that despite all the talk of atheism and controversial remarks about god by Dravidian ideologue E V Ramasamy, a sizeable number of DMK leaders, members and voters are practising Hindus.

Chief Minister M K Stalin’s wife Durga Stalin, is known to visit temples, and made headlines a few months ago, after she offered a golden crown at the Guruvayoor temple. A video of her elaborate puja room can be seen here. 

Their son-in-law, V Sabareesan, had conducted a yagna in Tiruchendur, which is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu. The yagna was reportedly done for shatru-samhara, ie, to finish off one's enemies.

Other DMK leaders too aren't far behind. Their Hindu faith is not hidden from people.

HRCE Minister P Sekar Babu and Senthil Balaji are regularly seen putting vibhuti and kumkum on their forehead.

Former finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, belonging to a family that has a long connection with the Dravidian movement, is also known to follow Hinduism. His mother was recently appointed as the chairperson of the trustees of the Madurai Meenakshi temple.

Even Chief Minister Stalin, was seen accepting a vel (Lord Muruga’s spear) during the 2021 election campaign. The DMK had gone to the extent of defending the move by saying that Stalin had taken the vel to perform Soorasamharam (referring to the killing of the asura Surapadman) of the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).

The DMK government has always been proactive in publicising its 'initiatives' and 'achievements', when it comes to matters of Hindu religion.

So, drum beating by its leaders over this conference, or declarations about the recovery of temple lands and the kumbhabhishekam (consecration) of temples will keep happening. What we must watch out for is the emergence of theories stating that Lord Muruga is a Dravidian god and not a Hindu god, or that Lord Subramanya and Lord Muruga are different from each other and not just different names of the same god, and the alleged mismanagement in temples under the control of the HRCE Department.

Thus, these kinds of conferences, while having the potential to be beneficial, could end up distracting people from important issues affecting the Hindu spiritual discourse and temples in the state, and thereby allow the DMK government a free pass.

Also Read: Dravidianist-Led Murugan Conference — An Attempt To De-Hinduise A Beloved Deity