Lord Murugan at core of BJP’s strategy in TN

Lord Murugan is the beloved and one of the most celebrated Gods in Tamil culture and tradition, transcending the boundaries of caste and religion. Lord Murugan is part of the folklore of love, bravery and literature. The familiar dialogues between the grand old lady of Tamil literature, Avvaiyar and Lord Murugan is reflective of the cultural, linguistic and spiritual genius of the Tamils. There is therefore no doubt that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can hardly resist or overlook the influence and impact of Lord Murugan on Tamil culture. But the paradox is that the BJP now wants to save and champion the cause of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu. Strange are the ways and means of power in politics. It is increasingly becoming difficult for the Dravidha Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to deny or ignore the growing presence of BJP and the agenda of Hindutva politics. The trappings are there for everyone to see with the changing ethos of politics in Tamil Nadu and difficult decisions to make.

- Ramu Manivannan

In many ways, the Murugan Devotees’ Conference (Murugan Bhakthargal Aanmeega Maanadu) held in Madurai on June 22 is a precursor of the shift and changing gears applied by the BJP in Tamil Nadu politics. It may be recalled that a similar attempt in 2020 in organising the Vel (Spear) Yatra failed without a trace.

Though it was announced that the conference was organised by the Madurai wing of the Hindu Munnani (Hindu Front), the spiritual design and political craft executed meticulously by the BJP. In a way, BJP has launched its bare-all strategy of Hindutva politics in Tamil Nadu by its make-believe exhibition of devotion and celebration of the Tamil God Murugan.

The devotional chants, joined by the ambitious politicians and the recreation of the Arupadai veedu shrines (six holy abodes) of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu built in the style of Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal to draw the pious and religious public as an innocuous witness to the spectacle was an act of politics with religious fervour.