Chennai:Governor R N Ravi and Chief Minister M K Stalin were locked in yet another war of words on social networking site, X, over the portrayal of Tamil poet-savant, Thiruvallur, on the day dedicated to his memory on Tuesday.
It started with Ravi posting a message, paying tributes to the ‘revered poet, great philosopher and brightest saint of Bharatiya Sanatan tradition, Thirualluvar, born on the spiritual land of our Tamil Nadu,’ and a picture of Thiruvalluvar clad in saffron robes with prominent religious marks on the forehead and upper arm at 9.09 am.
About two and a half hours later, Stalin averred in his post that no one can besmirch Thiruavallur in the land of Thirukural that had honoured him with a 133 feet high statue and a memorial in the State capital.
He also carried a traditional picture of the poet in white dress and no religious mark on the body, besides photographs of the statue in Kanyakumari and that of State Ministers and Chennai Mayor paying respect to his granite statue in Valluvar Kottam in Chennai on Tuesday.
Stalin, without directly mentioning, disputed the ‘Sanatan tradition’ claim of Ravi by referring to Tiruvalluvar as one born in the Tamil race and giving to the world the creed that ‘all are equal in birth,’ which’ formed the basis of the social justice ideal.
While Ravi said that Thiruvalluvar’s ‘eternal wisdom has immensely shaped and enriched the ideas and identity of our nation, Stalin mentioned his words celebrating human endeavor as a single trait that alone could beget success and his preaching of righteousness (Aram) in life.
Both the posts evoked reactions from followers with one X user saying that Thiruvallur was made universal by the Dravidian movement, while BJP State President K Annamalai said the verses of Thirukural had been translated into a plethora of languages due to the earnest efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Even the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted messages in Tamil praising the greatness of Thiurvalluvar. Shah said that Thirukural invoked spirituality.
