Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader SS Sivasankar sparked a significant controversy on Friday by asserting that there is no historical evidence to prove the existence of Lord Ram. Speaking at an event commemorating the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola in Gangaikondacholapuram, Ariyalur district, Sivasankar highlighted the need to celebrate the legacy of verifiable historical figures like Rajendra Chola.
“We celebrate the birthday of Rajendra Chola, an emperor of the Chola dynasty, because we have archaeological evidence such as inscriptions, the temples built by him, and the lake created by him. But, there is no evidence to trace the history of Lord Ram,” Sivasankar stated. He further questioned the validity of calling Ram an avatar, arguing that if Ram was indeed an avatar, he could not have been born, and thus could not be considered a god.
The minister’s remarks were met with sharp criticism from the BJP. K Annamalai, the party’s state president, condemned Sivasankar’s comments, questioning the DMK’s sudden focus on Lord Ram. “DMK’s sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold—who would’ve thought?” Annamalai said. He also pointed out the contradiction in the DMK’s stance, noting that just last week, another DMK leader, S Regupathy, had praised Lord Ram as a champion of social justice.
Annamalai also criticized the DMK for previously opposing the installation of the Chola Dynasty’s Sengol in the new Parliament, suggesting inconsistency in their respect for historical traditions. “It’s almost comical that the DMK, a party that seems to think Tamil Nadu’s history started in 1967, has suddenly discovered a love for the nation’s rich culture and history,” he added.
Sivasankar’s comments come amidst ongoing debates within the DMK about historical and cultural narratives. Last week, DMK’s Law Minister Raghupathy described Lord Ram as a pioneer of secularism and equality. This is in stark contrast to Sivasankar’s remarks, further highlighting the internal discrepancies within the party regarding historical interpretations.
This controversy follows previous inflammatory remarks by DMK’s Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who called for the “annihilation” of Sanatana Dharma, equating it with diseases like dengue and malaria. Despite facing backlash, Udhayanidhi stood by his statements.
