Archive · 17 Sep 2026
VCK Minister's Periyar Remarks Prompt BJP Rebuke, TVK Distancing
Vanni Arasu, a minister from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, spoke about Periyar's opposition to Sanatana Dharma.
He said his party would protect Tamil Nadu from Sanatana Dharma.
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized these comments.
BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy said the remarks were made for political attention.
He also asked Chief Minister Vijay to explain his position.
Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, said Arasu was not speaking as its minister.
The party said it respects Periyar but does not support his anti-God statements.
It also pointed to Vijay's greetings for Krishna Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi as evidence of its secular position.
Vanni Arasu said Periyar opposed Sanatana Dharma and made no compromises on it.
Arasu said the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi would vow to protect Tamil Nadu from Sanatana Dharma.
BJP's Narayanan Thirupathy accused Arasu of seeking political gains and cheap publicity.
Thirupathy urged Chief Minister Vijay to clarify or respond to the minister's remarks.
Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam distanced itself, saying it supports Periyar but not his anti-God statements.
- Who
- Vanni Arasu, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
- What
- A dispute followed Arasu's remarks that Periyar opposed Sanatana Dharma, with the BJP criticizing them and TVK distancing itself.
- When
- Thursday, during Periyar's birth-anniversary observance.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The comments concerned Periyar's views on Sanatana Dharma and the political parties' differing positions on religion and social reform.
VCK Minister's Position
BJP and TVK Responses
Periyar and Sanatana Dharma
VCK Minister's Position
Vanni Arasu said Periyar opposed Sanatana Dharma and that the VCK would vow to protect Tamil Nadu from it.
BJP and TVK Responses
The BJP rejected the remarks as politically motivated, while TVK said it respects Periyar but does not support his anti-God statements.
Responsibility for the Remarks
VCK Minister's Position
Arasu made the comments as a senior VCK leader and Tamil Nadu minister.
BJP and TVK Responses
TVK said he was speaking for a different party and not as its minister; the BJP said Chief Minister Vijay should clarify the government's position.
- Speaker
- Vanni Arasu, Tamil Nadu's Social Justice Minister and a senior Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader.
- Historical figure
- Periyar EV Ramasamy, whose birth anniversary was being observed.
- Main claim
- Arasu said Periyar was against Sanatana Dharma and had no compromise on the issue.
- BJP response
- Narayanan Thirupathy called the remarks politically motivated and urged Vijay to respond.
- TVK position
- TVK said Arasu was speaking for a different party, not as its minister.
- Religious position
- TVK said it believes in Periyar but not his anti-God statements.
- Examples cited by TVK
- The party said Vijay had wished people on Krishna Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi.