Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Assembly Debates Snake Curses and Rationalism
Tamil Nadu lawmakers talked about several recent snakebite incidents.
O Panneerselvam jokingly said the bites might be caused by Nagadosham, meaning a serpent curse.
He suggested holding temple rituals to solve the problem.
Health Minister K G Arunraj said the government uses science instead of astrology or rituals.
He joked that the state was dealing with Jaladosham, meaning the common cold, not Nagadosham.
Panneerselvam offered to find ritual experts.
Other lawmakers mentioned Periyar’s belief in rationalism.
Udhayanidhi Stalin explained that the joke was about a colleague who had a bad cold.
The Speaker ended the discussion by warning Panneerselvam to avoid catching a cold.
O Panneerselvam jokingly attributed recent snakebites to Nagadosham, or a serpent curse.
Panneerselvam suggested state-sponsored temple rituals to counter the supposed curse.
Health Minister K G Arunraj rejected the astrological explanation, citing medical science.
Arunraj said officials were tracking Jaladosham, or common cold, rather than Nagadosham.
Ministers invoked Periyar’s rationalist principles before the Speaker ended the humorous exchange.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Assembly members, including O Panneerselvam, K G Arunraj, Aadhav Arjuna, Udhayanidhi Stalin and Speaker J C D Prabhakar.
- What
- Lawmakers exchanged jokes about snakebites, Nagadosham, common colds and the role of rationalism versus rituals.
- When
- Wednesday.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai.
- Why
- Panneerselvam raised recent snakebite incidents and jokingly attributed them to a serpent curse, prompting a debate about how the government should respond.
Ritual Explanation
Scientific Explanation
Cause of snakebites
Ritual Explanation
O Panneerselvam jokingly suggested that the incidents reflected Nagadosham, or a serpent curse.
Scientific Explanation
K G Arunraj rejected the astrological theory and said the administration relies on medical science.
Proposed response
Ritual Explanation
Panneerselvam suggested state-sponsored temple rituals and offered ritual experts.
Scientific Explanation
Arunraj declined to fund rituals through the health budget and focused instead on medical concerns.
Guiding principle
Ritual Explanation
The ritual suggestion was presented as playful banter rather than an adopted government policy.
Scientific Explanation
Aadhav Arjuna said Tamil Nadu’s government addresses problems through Periyar’s rationalist ideals rather than incantations.
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Venue
- Tamil Nadu Assembly
- Snake curse
- Nagadosham
- Common cold
- Jaladosham
- Scientific position
- Health Minister K G Arunraj said the administration relies on medical science, not planetary alignments.
- Rationalist reference
- Aadhav Arjuna cited the ideals of Periyar.
- Assembly response
- The exchange ended with laughter from both Treasury and Opposition benches.