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BJP fumes over Vijay-themed Ganpati idols in Tamil Nadu, calls them insult to Hindu sentiment
After Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations in Chennai featured idols that portrayed chief minister’s journey from films to politics, BJP demands legal action against those responsible.
Chennai: Ganesh Chaturthi has gone political in Tamil Nadu with idols of the Hindu god made in the likeness of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay displayed at several pandals in Chennai. The BJP and a few other organisations aren’t amused; they say no one should be equated with a god, finding the deliberate likeness “disrespectful”.
The idols in question drew from Vijay’s kabaddi-playing character in the 2004 film Ghilli, scenes of him riding a bicycle during the election campaign, and the viral hand gesture linked with his appearance in the assembly. Similar installations were noted in other locations, including Korukkupet, R.K. Nagar and Kodungaiyur, depicting the chief minister’s journey from cinema to politics.
BJP state unit president Nainar Nagenthran on Tuesday strongly objected to the display of the idols, demanding the arrest of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries who arranged them as part of Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations. Nainar alleged that the idols amounted to disrespecting the deity.
