E-Paper
‘No historical evidence of Lord Ram’s existence', says DMK minister SS Sivasankar. BJP hits back
Tamil Nadu transport minister SS Sivasankar has courted controversy over his remark on Lord Ram.
A massive controversy erupted after a minister in MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu claimed no “historical evidence to prove Lord Ram's existence".
According to an ANI report, state transport minister SS Sivasankar while addressing at an event to mark Chola emperor Rajendra Chola's birth anniversary in Ariyalur, said,"We must celebrate the birthday anniversary of our great ruler Rajendra Chola, who made our land proud. We should celebrate his birthday; otherwise, people may be compelled to celebrate something that has no connection or evidence to them."
ALSO READ: Udhayanidhi Stalin pulled up by Supreme Court over Sanatana remark: 'You are not a layman'
"To show that Rajendra Chola lives on, there are ponds constructed by him, temples built by him, and his name is mentioned in scripts, sculptures, and other artefacts. We have history and evidence for it, but there is no evidence or historical record of Lord Ram's existence. They call him (Ram) an avatar. An avatar can't be born. It is being done to manipulate us, hide our history, and present another history as superior," ANI quoted him as saying.
BJP slams Sivasankar's remark
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai hit back at the DMK, saying in an X post,"DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold--who would've thought? Just last week, DMK's Law Minister Thiru Raghupathy declared that Bhagwan Shri Ram was the ultimate champion of social justice, the pioneer of secularism, and the one who proclaimed equality for all."
Training guns at Sivasankar, the BJP leader said,"Fast forward to today, and we have the scam-tainted DMK Transport Minister, Thiru Shiva Shankar, boldly asserting that Lord Ram never existed, claiming it's all a ploy to erase the Cholan history."
ALSO READ: Congress, INDIA bloc never speak against other religions, says PM Narendra Modi
"Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex?" Annamalai added.
"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. Perhaps it's time for DMK Ministers Thiru Raghupathy and Thiru Shiva Shankar to sit down, debate, and reach a consensus on Lord Ram. We're confident that Thiru Shiva Shankar could learn a thing or two about Bhagwan Shri Ram from his colleague," he further added in the post on X.
