"Stalin may take pride in declaring himself non-devotee of Murugan": ANS Prasad accuses DMK of anti-hindu agenda

Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 14 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Media Spokesperson ANS Prasad issued a scathing statement on Friday, accusing Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling DMK government of politicising religion and placing covert obstacles in the way of the upcoming World Murugan Devotees' Conference, scheduled to be held in Madurai on June 22.
In a sharp attack on the state government, Prasad said, "Chief Minister Stalin may take pride in declaring himself a non-devotee of Murugan to please the followers of E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar). But at the same time, the DMK government must stop covertly imposing obstacles on the upcoming Murugan Devotees' Conference in Madurai, which could give the public the impression that Stalin is an 'enemy of Tamil deity Murugan'."
"Judicial Intervention Sought: CM MK Stalin and DMK Govt Directed to Cease Politicisation, Ensure Unfettered Conduct of World Murugan Devotees Conference in Madurai, Upholding Spiritual Rights & Constitutional Freedoms," he added.
Prasad alleged that CM Stalin, known for distancing himself from religious practices, had acted against Hindu sentiments to appease followers of EV Ramasamy (Periyar).
He said, "Chief Minister Stalin may take pride in declaring himself a non-devotee of Murugan to please the followers of E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar). But at the same time, the DMK government must stop covertly imposing obstacles on the upcoming Murugan Devotees' Conference in Madurai, which could give the public the impression that Stalin is an 'enemy of Tamil deity Murugan'."
He reminded the DMK that under the Indian Constitution framed by B.R. Ambedkar, a Chief Minister must serve all religions equally, regardless of personal beliefs.
Prasad also pointed out that preparations for the conference were underway, with expectations of over 5 lakh devotees attending from Tamil Nadu and around the globe.
According to Prasad, the DMK and its alliance partners, including Congress, VCK, CPI(M), and others, had grown increasingly nervous over the conference's expected success. "Their nervousness indicates the grand success this event is going to be," he said.
He further added, "The people have now realised the true nature of the 'anti-Hindu Periyarist DMK' of Chief Minister Stalin, the 'missionary-backed anti-Hindu DMK' of Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, and the 'foreign religious, Hindu-targeting DMK' of the controversial Minister Sekarbabu."
Prasad also condemned the state government for allegedly misusing temple funds to organise a parallel state-sponsored event in Palani, claiming it was done for electoral gain and to divide Hindu society.
As the event drew near, Prasad claimed that groups like Makkal Adhikaram, May 17 Movement, Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, and Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, allegedly backed by the DMK, had petitioned the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking a ban on the conference.
These petitions were called "another anti-Hindu drama" by the BJP leader.
"These groups have been making derogatory remarks about the conference, the Hindu religion, and Hindu gods, inciting social unrest. Meanwhile, the police remain silent spectators," Prasad stated.
He also alleged that police had stopped volunteers from distributing invitations and intimidated Murugan devotees.
Referring to the spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu, Prasad said, "Tamil Nadu, the land once guided by the Nayanmars and Alwars, has always been a spiritual land. Despite invasions and temple destructions in North India, Tamil Nadu is home to thousands of ancient temples that have withstood the test of time."
He raised serious concerns over a long-standing controversy surrounding Tirupparankundram Hill, the first of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan, claiming that certain groups were trying to rename it 'Sikandar Hill' and conduct non-vegetarian feasts and animal sacrifices near the temple.
He said, "A group led by IUML MP from Ramanathapuram, Nawaz Kani, even staged a protest by eating non-vegetarian food along the sacred path to the temple, releasing photos of their act. This enraged the entire Tamil community."
Prasad pointed out that a mass protest held on February 4, which attracted over 50,000 people despite government restrictions, had already served as a warning to the ruling coalition.
He warned that any further attempts to hinder the June 22 conference would backfire politically and spiritually. "This conference will serve to reaffirm that Tamil Nadu is a land of spirituality, and expose the DMK government's double standards, selectively targeting Hinduism under the guise of secularism."
Calling the upcoming event a festival of Hindu resurgence, he said, "This conference, which unites Murugan devotees beyond political lines, will be a grand success and will deliver a strong blow to anti-Hindu forces. The spiritual uprising at Tirupparankundram will surely echo in the upcoming 2026 assembly elections!"
The conference is expected to see the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, with preparations for their participation underway. (ANI)