The Rajagopalasamy temple consecration at Mannargudi is an event of great historical significance. The earlier consecration was done by a Nayak King 322 years ago. A culvert which gives certain information about this temple says that the next consecration would take place 322 years later and that too only at the initiative of a woman. Besides this prophecy coming true, yesterday’s festival was celebrated with pomp and piety with lakhs of devotees thronging the holy shrine.
This being the reality, the DMK president Mr. Karunanidhi has taken it upon himself to give a new explanation to the ritual. According to him, the Chief Minister has performed this consecration only to stay in power and to win the next elections. And he does not stop with that. “We seem to have forgotten Periyar”, he bemoans.
Karunandihi’s lament is not surprising. When someone else does something better than oneself such outbursts are only natural. Several people have attempted to perform this function but were unable to do so. It would be news to some that it was Karunandihi who made an election eve promise to perform the consecration in 1989. After coming to power, he even allocated funds for the purpose and cleared various files to expedite the function. But all his efforts were set at naught because the temple priests and many elderly men objected to his participation. This they did despite several threats and insinuations.
What Karunanidhi promised, but could not achieve, Jayalalitha has done to the delight of lakhs of devotees. There is absolutely no reason for him to drag Periyar’s name in this. If Jayalalitha has offended Periyar is also Karunanidhi not guilty of trying to do the same? But then, it is only this sort of hypocrisy that he has been practising all along which is not surprising.
It would be a folly to say that Periyar was anti-God. His target of attack, on the contrary, was the prevalent social evils, exploitation in the name of God and superstitions. His anti-God tirades had its roots in these. Social justice for the downtrodden was his chief campaign plank. And Jayalalitha has only done Periyar proud by successfully securing the rights of the underprivileged on the reservation issue.
There is no need for Jayalalitha to perform yagas or other rituals to continue in power. The results of the various by-elections have proved beyond doubt that only she enjoys the support of the people. Also, to say that the consecration at Mannargudi was only for winning elections is utter falsity. Even in the first year of her coming to power (1991) she established a Temple Renovation Fund as a result of which several dilapidated temples saw the light of the day. The Mannargudi temple function in continuation of this policy is the latest feather in her cap. That she participated in it as, one among several thousand devotees only goes to show how close she is to people’s aspirations, re-establishing the golden saying that people’s verdict is God’s. Of course, it is also quite clear as to how alienated and far away parties like DMK are from the people.
Tailpiece
It would be interesting to know the antecedents of Karunanidhi’s ‘superstition’ that one can come to power by performing yagas.
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