Does Vaiko's Pro-Hindu Speech Signal Shift In Dravidian Strategy?

Leaders of the Movement have had to counter the claim that they are anti-Hindu

- B. Kolappan

MDMK general secretary Vaiko’s speech on the occasion of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai’s birth anniversary, advocating a change in the strategy of Dravidian parties and stressing the need to respect the sentiments of those who go to temples to worship, has raised many an eyebrow.

“If you do not believe [in God], you need not go to temple. Do not ridicule people of faith who visit temples,” Mr. Vaiko had said at the meeting, recalling his efforts to renovate the Sundaraperumal temple in his village, which was constructed by his family.

Mr. Vaiko’s argument was that the Dravidian strategy should be revised since crores of devotees were visiting the Madurai Meenakshi temple, Tirupati, Chidambaram and Kancheepuram (to worship Athi Varadar). “But Mr. Veeramani (president of Dravidar Kazhagam) may not agree with me,” he said.