On 18 April 2015 at Valluvar Kottam, Chennai, twenty seven Hindu organisations, including the HIndu Janajagruti Samiti gathered under the United Hindu Front banner to condemn Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Kazhagam chief Ki. Veeramani’s actions that have hurt Hindu religious sentiments. Ki. Veeramani chose on April 14th that was the Tamil New year day for a public display of their anti-Hindu behaviour. Several irreligious couples gathered to throw away the sacred mangalsutra. To add insult to injury, Ki. Veeramani also had arranged for a beef fest after this.
It is unfortunate that such blatant insult to Hindu religious sentiments gets sanction under the so called freedom of expression excuse. Around 100 devout Hindus from various pro-Hindu organizations came together to send a strong message that Hindus will no longer tolerate insults on Dharma and religious customs. They also condemned the physical attack on Shiv Sena activists.
Ki. Veeramani’s photos were burnt by the agitators. The Police didn’t allow the burning of black shirts which are a characteristic of Dravida Kazhagam cadre.
Sou. Ragini Premnath of HJS emphasised the importance of Mangalsutra based on cultural, spiritual and scientific aspects. She said that the sacred Mangalsutra is an ornament of a woman denoting her marital status due to which she remains conscious of Dharma, duty and rules. It is a marital bond which reminds her that there should not be any immoral behavior on her part. Others too give her due respect. It is a symbol of Shiva Shakthi. It emits iccha sakthi, kriya sakthi and gyana sakthi which helps her journey towards the nirgun principle (unmanifest God). Also when woman apply turmeric on the mangalsutra thread everyday it protects them from diseases as it is an antiseptic.
Bharatiya Janata party, Hindu Munnani, Shiv sena, Hindu Makkal Katchi, All India Hindu Mahasabha, Sri Rama Sena, Hanuman Sena, Vijaybharatam Makkal Katchi, Hindu Ilaignar Ezhichi Peravai also took part in this protest.
Highlights:
- Protest was started with prayer & a lamp was lit in front of the Deity.
- Police protection was provided for protest, with many police vans, buses covering the entire surrounding area of protest.
- A poster depicting Kali mata holding Ki. Veeramani as a demon was displayed at the protest venue.
- Around 20 local & national media channels were covering the protest.
- Before burning the photo of Veeramani they cast off the evil eye, while assembled Hindus expressed their anger (symbolically) by stamping on his photo.