‘Playing With Hindu Sentiments’: BJP Slams DMK For Using Temple Tower Replica On Karunanidhi Memorial
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In response, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan defended the memorial’s design and criticised the BJP for politicising the issue
BJP has accused Tamil Nadu CM Stalin of hurting the sentiments of Hindus. (Image via X/@narayanantbjp)
A political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu after a replica of a temple gopuram (tower) was placed on top of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s memorial at Marina Beach in Chennai.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of hurting “Hindu sentiments” and demanded an apology from Chief Minister MK Stalin.
M Karunanidhi, a veteran DMK leader, served as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister for nearly 20 years across five terms between 1969 and 2011. He passed away in 2018, and his memorial was built on Marina Beach.
Reacting strongly to the placement of the temple replica atop the memorial, BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy accused Tamil Nadu CM Stalin of hurting the sentiments of Hindus.
“This is height of arrogance. The Hindu religious department has placed, has portrayed temple gopuram on the burial place, graveyard. Is it not a nonsense? How can you do this? Are you not ashamed? I think the chief minister should apologise for this and hurting the sentiments of Hindus,” Thirupathy told PTI.
VIDEO | On a replica of temple being placed at Karunanidhi’s memorial at Chennai’s Marina Beach, BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) says, “This is height of arrogance. The Hindu religious department has placed, has portrayed temple gopuram on the burial place,… pic.twitter.com/ukGI5RfraC— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 17, 2025
He also voiced his views on X, saying, “How can a temple gopuram be portrayed on a place where a body is buried. This is an assault on the faith and beliefs of HIndus. The Chief Minister @mkstalin has to immediately order for the removal of the same. Playing with the sentiments of the Hindus will cost @arivalayam in future.”
In response, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan defended the memorial’s design and criticised the BJP for politicising the issue.
VIDEO | Chennai: On BJP claiming of DMK insulted Hindu religion by depicting Gopuram temple on tomb of Kalaignar Karunanidhi, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan says, “I think today only all the BJP leaders went to Kalaignar statue to take his blessings. This is happening every year.… pic.twitter.com/BwaCDQ5jx4— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 17, 2025
Elangovan stated, “I think today only all the BJP leaders went to Kalaignar statue to take his blessings. This is happening every year. They should understand, that is the symbol of government of Tamil Nadu… Our minister put the image over there to give respect to our leader. BJP is claiming that it is a Hindu temple. Whenever they speak, they want to portray DMK as an anti-Hindu party.”
- Location :
Tamil Nadu, India, India
