‘This is the Dravidian model of governance. The government is for people belonging to all faiths’
Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Lok Sabha MP, S Senthilkumar, objected to a 'bhumi puja' for a road project by a Hindu priest and said that representatives of all religions should be invited to offer prayers for any such event.
The Dharmapuri Lok Sabha MP, on his arrival at the spot in his home district, asked an official if he was aware a government function should not be held in such a manner involving prayers of only one particular religion.
"Sir, Do you have instructions or not that government functions should not be held like this. Are you aware or not," he asked.
Pointing to a saffron-clad Hindu priest, the MP asked the official: "What is this? Where are the other religions? Where is the Christian and Muslim? Invite the church father, the imam, invite those who do not profess any religion, the atheists, the Dravida Kazhagam (representatives)," he said.
Dravida Kazhagam, a rationalist outfit founded by social justice icon Periyar E V Ramasamy, is the parent body of the ruling DMK.
To a question from the MP, the official identified himself as a public works department executive engineer and tendered an apology to the parliamentarian.
"This is the Dravidian model of governance. The government is for people belonging to all faiths," the MP told the official.
He also made it clear he is not against the performance of puja. However, such events should involve all faiths. "Do it by inviting everyone."
Senthilkumar shared a short video of the conversation between him and the official on his Twitter handle. "Trying to keep my cool. At times they make me to lose my patience," the MP tweeted.
The MP advised officials present to 'clear' everything, apparently referring to preparations to hold the ‘bhumi puja’ by the Hindu priest alone. The event was for a road project in Dharmapuri district.
The MP, who appeared aggressive, also said that such prayers were not performed in government events participated by Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Senthilkumar also advised officials to not invite him to such events involving prayers of a particular religion.
After a dialogue with the officials, the MP inaugurated the project and apparently no prayers were held as originally scheduled.
