Tirupati Laddu Issue: Pawan Kalyan's 'In Your Face Hinduism' Is Welcome In Andhra

Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and a Telugu film actor, has been at the centre of attention over his 11-day prayaschita and the strong stance he took on the Tirupati Laddu issue.  

Days after calling for setting up a national-level board for the protection of Sanatana Dharma, he recently responded strongly to remarks on the issue by film actors Karthi and Prakash Raj. 

While Karthi had tried to stay away from the topic by laughing and saying it was ‘sensitive’, Raj had asked Kalyan not to make the Laddu controversy a national issue as there were enough communal tensions in the country, partly due to the Jana Sena Party’s allies (in a reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party).

In response to Karthi, Kalyan said, “People are making jokes about laddus. I saw one such in a cinema function saying that laddu is a sensitive issue. Don't you ever say that. No. Don't you ever dare to say that. Please. I respect you as actors, but when it comes to Sanatana Dharma, you have to think a hundred times before saying a word.”

To Raj, who has made many controversial remarks before, Kalyan said, "I respect you, Prakash Raj, but secularism must be mutual. Why should I remain silent about attacks on Sanatana Dharma? The film industry should not make light of these serious issues."

Though Kalyan has been appreciated for his stand by many, with some raving about the fact that he made Karthi, his brother, actor Suriya, and their father Sivakumar apologise despite being considered sympathetic to the Dravidian ideology, he (Kalyan) has also drawn flak.  

Those who dislike his stand have called him ‘sanghi,’ dug up his past statements, posted pictures of him wearing a skull cap, and brought up his multiple marriages to ask if he really is a warrior for Sanatana Dharma.

Supporters of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s ideology especially are claiming that Kalyan has made politics in Andhra communal.  

There are also claims that Chandrababu Naidu has leveraged the issue for political gain. 

Nevertheless, what Kalyan is doing is important. 

Hindus in Andhra have legitimate reasons to be apprehensive. The state has seen large-scale conversions, the appointment of non-Hindus in temples, and proselytisation activities in holy places like Tirupati.

The previous chief minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, a Christian, and his father, the late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, are alleged to have encouraged these developments.

So when the Deputy Chief Minister of the state, who also enjoys immense film stardom, sends a strong message in favour of Sanatana Dharma, more people are likely to get the point that activities hurting Hinduism will no longer go unpunished, unlike what was said to have been the case during Reddy's tenure.

In addition, there is a need for more non-BJP leaders to speak up for Sanatana Dharma, not just in Andhra but elsewhere so that the interests of Hindus are protected irrespective of the party in power.

Kalyan following through not just with words but action, even an actual ritual, in fact, is undoubtedly a good sign.