Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister SS Sivasankar stoked a controversy after he claimed that there was no historical evidence of Lord Ram's existence.
Speaking at an event in Ariyalur, Sivasankar said it was the duty of everyone to celebrate the legacy of Rajendra Chola (Rajendra I of Chola dynasty) or else the "people will be compelled to celebrate something which has no connection to them”.
“To show that Rajendra Cholan lives, there are ponds constructed by him, temples built by him. His name is mentioned in scripts and his sculptures are present. But there is no evidence or history mentioning that Ram existed. They call him an avatar (incarnation). An avatar can’t be born. It is being done to manipulate us, hide our history and show another history as bigger," said Shivashankar.
Reacting to Sivasankar's remarl, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai questioned DMK’s "obsession with Lord Ram”.
“DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold - who would've thought? Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our PM Modi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex? 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 Regupathy and Thiru Sivasankar 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," Annamalai said.
Annamalai was referring to another remark by state Law Minister Regupathy, who called Lord Ram as the "forerunner of the Dravidian model".
