AIADMK In Damage Control After Facing Backlash Over Controversial Periyar Video At Murugan Conference
After an outrage over a controversial 'Periyar' video played at Hindu Munnani conference negatively portraying Dravidian icons, the AIADMK swiftly distanced itself.
The AIADMK finds itself in a tricky political spot following a conference of Lord Murugan devotees hosted by Hindu Munnani in Madurai on Sunday. The event, attended by at least four senior AIADMK leaders, sparked outrage after a short video portrayed revered Dravidian figures—Periyar EV Ramasamy and CN Annadurai—in a negative light. Following this, AIADMK, the principal opposition party, entered into a swift damage control efforts.
The video, part of an audio-visual presentation on Hindu Munnani’s history, featured images and cartoons critical of Dravidian icons.
Following this, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu accused the BJP and Hindu Munnani of using the gathering to malign Dravidian stalwarts rather than focusing on spiritual matters. He criticised former BJP state chief K Annamalai for disparaging figures like Annadurai and Karunanidhi, even MGR and Jayalalithaa during the event.
Murugan Conference: AIADMK Does Damage Control
In response, former AIADMK Minister RB Udhayakumar distanced the party from the video, asserting, “The resolutions passed at the Murugan Devotees Conference have nothing to do with AIADMK. We strongly condemn the video about Periyar and Anna broadcast at the conference.”
Rajenthra Balaji, another former minister and Virudhunagar district party secretary, emphasised the importance of respecting Dravidian leaders. “It was wrong to release a video that demeaned Periyar and the great scholar Anna. Without Anna, common people might not have entered politics,” he remarked.
முருக பக்தர்கள் மாநாட்டில் தந்தை பெரியார் மற்றும் பேரறிஞர் அண்ணாவை சிறுமைப்படுத்தும் வகையில் வீடியோ வெளியிட்டது தவறு.
— AIADMK IT WING - SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKITWINGOFL) June 23, 2025
பேரறிஞர் அண்ணா இல்லையெனில் பாமர மக்கள் அரசியலுக்கு வந்திருக்க முடியாது.
திரு.@RajBhalajioffl அவர்கள்,
விருதுநகர் மேற்கு மாவட்ட கழக செயலாளர். pic.twitter.com/KPkQwvcRfm
Key Resolutions From Murugan Conference
At the conference, six key resolutions were passed ressing for complete control over Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai — a site they have described as the “Ayodhya struggle of the South”, which also houses a centuries-old Sufi dargah and mosque, as reported by The News Minute. They also called for Hindu unity to consolidate electoral influence and the removal of government oversight in the administration of temples across Tamil Nadu.
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