Tamil Nadu CM Vijay-Themed Idols At Chennai Puja Pandal Draw Criticism; BJP Seeks Action Against Organisers

Tamil Nadu Ganesh Chaturthi Row: A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu amid Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations after TVK supporters installed idols of Lord Ganesha modelled on Chief Minister Vijay at a pandal in Korukkupet, Chennai. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly objected to these Vijay-themed idols, seeking action.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Tuesday demanded the immediate removal of the idols and the arrest of those responsible, alleging that such use of the deity's idols for political propaganda and personal accolades hurts the spiritual sentiments of millions of devotees.

VIDEO | Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay-themed Vinayagar (Ganesha) idols installed in Chennai's RK Nagar, idols inspired by his film 'Ghilli'.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/E7ypxDMpZc

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Idols Hurt Religious Sentiments: BJP

The BJP state president strongly condemned the incident, saying, "This alteration of a divine form revered by millions of devotees for personal glorification and political advertising deserves the strongest condemnation. It hurts the spiritual sentiments of the people."

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Accusing the TVK leadership of giving tacit permission to party workers to use religious festivals as election campaign tools, Nagenthran questioned Vijay's silence on the issue.

Demanding immediate administrative and legal intervention, the BJP leader urged the authorities to take action immediately against the organisers.

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He strongly urged and demanded that the TVK government immediately remove such idols that offend the people’s religious sentiments and worship traditions. The BJP leader added that appropriate legal action should be taken against the misguided organisers who were using the divine for self-promotion and that they should be arrested.

Party Supporters Asked To Remove The Statues

Meanwhile, sources within the ruling party, TVK, have stated that party workers have been instructed to remove the idols immediately, as the controversy escalates. However, local fans claim they have been installing similar statues for the past eight years.

The row has renewed the debate over the use of political imagery during public festivals in Tamil Nadu. Party workers often install cutouts and posters of their leaders at the puja pandal, but this time Vijay's supporters created a chief minister-themed idol of lord ganesha.

(With Inputs from Jagran.com)