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Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin wrote to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan about his unavailability and said he will be sending two of his ministers on behalf of the state government
The Kerala government invited Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (L) for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam event next month. (Image: PTI/File)
Two days after a political controversy was triggered over the Kerala government’s invitation to him for the Global Ayyappa Sangam next month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said he will be unable to attend the event due to “personal commitments”.
Stalin wrote to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan about his unavailability for the event in Pathanamthitta district, which is aimed at elevating Sabarimala to a global pilgrimage centre. He told Vijayan that he will be sending two state cabinet ministers on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government for the event.
Devaswom minister VN Vasavan visited Stalin in Chennai and invited him to the event, which will be organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in association with the Kerala government on September 20 at Pampa.
Responding to the invitation, the BJP lambasted the Kerala government for inviting him to the Ayyappa event while comparing the move to Hitler celebrating Jews. It said it will resist the participation of both the CMs from Kerala and Tamil Nadu if they do not apologise to Hindus.
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY?
A day after the invitation went out to Stalin, in a scathing attack, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that both Vijayan and Stalin, along with Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi, had insulted Hindus, their faith and Sabarimala.
“Both of you (Stalin and Vijayan) have, over the years, harmed and insulted Sabarimala, ‘Ayyappa bhakts’ (devotees) and Hindu faith. Pinarayi Vijayan has imprisoned many ‘Ayyappa bhakts’, filed cases against many more, inflicted police violence against ‘Ayyappa bhakts’ and done everything to violate and insult sacred traditions of Sabarimala,” Chandrasekhar said in a post on Facebook. “Stalin and his dynast son have repeatedly insulted Hindus and referred to Hindu faith as a virus amongst other things.”
Calling the move to organise the Ayyappa event a “drama” before elections and a part of the “fool the people” strategy, Chandrasekhar said these insults were “deeply etched” in the memory of every Hindu and “will never be forgotten or forgiven”. He said Vijayan, Stalin and Udhayanidhi can take part in the event “if they apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala Ayyappa bhakts”.
He was referring to the Left Front government’s 2018 decision to allow the entry of women of menstruating age into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala following a Supreme Court order, and to Udhayanidhi’s statement against Sanatana Dharma.
A day before Stalin told Vijayan that he will not be present for the Ayyappa event, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned his “acceptance” of the invitation. About the Kerala CM’s decision, she said it was the “highest hypocrisy” to invite a man who has repeatedly insulted “Hindu sentiments”.
“Inviting Stalin, for the Ayyappa devotees’ conclave, is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin has accepted it. He has not accepted any invitation from the Hindu faith in Tamil Nadu, his own state… They repeatedly insult the Hindu sentiments…his son said Sanatana Dharma is like a virus, it should be crushed like dengue… Stalin has not gone to any temple; there are more than 35,000 temples in Tamil Nadu…” Soundararajan said.
She added: “Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan may be ignorant about Stalin, but how can he accept the invitation? Stalin is a Periyarist, and by inviting him, they are insulting the Ayyappa devotees. They think anything can be done for politics… It is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin should apologise to the Hindu faith…”
WHAT IS THE GLOBAL AYYAPPA EVENT?
The Kerala government has said it is organising the Global Ayyappa Sangamam exclusively for the deity’s devotees and to promote Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage centre.
Devaswom minister VN Vasavan said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event, which will be held on the banks of Pampa river in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district on September 20. It will be organised as per the rituals and traditions, with the participation of ministers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana, as well as Union ministers from Kerala, the opposition leader among others, he said.
Vasavan said 3,000 delegates from different countries will take part in the first-ever Ayyappa devotee gathering at such a large scale. The event is being jointly organised by the state government and Travancore Devaswom Board and is part of the board’s platinum jubilee celebrations, he said.
WHAT ARE THE ARRANGEMENTS?
Vasavan said this is an opportunity to listen to Ayyappas from all over the world. He said Sabarimala is on the path of development with a master plan worth Rs 1,300 crore. Work on the Sabarimala airport and railway is progressing with the intention to commission the former in 2028, he added.
He said suggestions will be collected from Ayyappa devotees around the world. A meeting for this will be organised in a transparent manner and interests of the devotees will be protected, he added.
Here’s all you need to know about the preparations:
- The main welcome team office will be opened under the district administration centred in Pathanamthitta district along with team offices in Pampa, Perunad and Seethathod.
- KSRTC facilities will be arranged to receive the delegates.
- Accommodation will be provided at various places in the district with parking facilities on the hilltop.
- Modern medical facilities will be ensured in hospitals, including in Pampa.
- The services of voluntary organisations will be used for the cleaning work.
(With agency inputs)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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