'Insult To Hindu Sentiments': BJP Slams Temple-Style Structure At Karunanidhi Memorial

The floral replica of a gopuram — a traditional temple tower — featured at the late leader’s memorial at Marina Beach has drawn sharp criticism.

The BJP leaders questioned the appropriateness of such symbolism in the wake of Karunanidhi’s well-known rationalist and atheist views.

Source : X

A newly unveiled structure resembling a temple gopuram atop the memorial of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has sparked a political row with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling DMK of hypocrisy and disrespecting Hindu sentiments.

The floral replica of a gopuram — a traditional temple tower — featured at the late leader’s memorial at Marina Beach has drawn sharp criticism. The BJP leaders questioned the appropriateness of such symbolism in the wake of Karunanidhi’s well-known rationalist and atheist views.

BJP Condemns Move

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran said, as per ANI, "I don't know whether it should be erected as a memorial. It shows that he (Karunanidhi) believed in God and kept it within himself. That's why Sekar Babu erected a temple image statue at Karunanidhi Memorial."

Taking to X, another BJP leader, Narayanan Thirupathy, called the inclusion of the gopuram design “an assault on Hindu beliefs.” He wrote, “I strongly condemn the @arivalayam for placing a temple Gopuram on top of the former Chief minister Mr. Karunnidhi’s burial place. This is height of arrogance and stupidity to the core. How can a temple gopuram be portrayed on a place where a body is buried. This is an assault on the faith and beliefs of Hindus."

I strongly condemn the @arivalayam for placing a temple
Gopuram on top of the former Chief minister Mr. Karunnidhi’s burial place. This is height of arrogance and stupidity to the core. How can a temple gopuram be portrayed on a place where a body is buried. This is an assault… pic.twitter.com/FFa7c4QvyY

— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) April 17, 2025