National Award-winning film-maker Vetrimaaran’s accusation in a recent speech that Hindutva forces were continuously trying to appropriate Tamil symbols has stirred a debate that raged on Thursday as well, with actor-politician Kamal Haasan the latest to wade in.
Endorsing Mr. Vetrimaaran’s view at a felicitation function for the crew of Ponniyin Selvan I, a Maniratnam film based on the life of Raja Raja Chola, Mr. Haasan said “Hindu religion” was not there during the legendary Chola ruler’s time, there was Vainavam, Saivam and Samanam. “It [Hindu religion] was the name given by the British. There were different religions. In the 8th century, Adi Sankara merged them. It is history,” he said.
However, Telangana Governor and former Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan said there was an attempt to hide the cultural identity and this needed to be opposed. “Worship, Saivam and Vainavam are the cultural identity of Tamils and any attempt to hide these identities would be inappropriate,” she told reporters at Coimbatore on Thursday..
