Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. file photo
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Digital Desk, New Delhi. A political debate has erupted in Tamil Nadu on Makar Sankranti vs Pongal. State Chief Minister MK Stalin has given birth to a new controversy by calling it 'Dravidian Pongal'.
BJP and AIADMK have adopted a tough stance regarding CM Stalin's statement. He has accused the ruling party of trying to separate Pongal from Hindu religion.
What did CM Stalin say?
Addressing party workers yesterday, Stalin said that Pongal is a Tamil festival, which is beyond religion and caste. It is a festival of social justice, equality and harmony between communities.
Stalin urged the party people to organize an event for Dravidian Pongal. This program will be completely based on Tamil culture and will have nothing to do with any religion.
BJP has expressed strong objection to this statement of CM Stalin. BJP MLA Vanthi Srinivasan said that the ruling party is trying to separate things of Hindu religion including puja from Pongal. They want to make this festival secular.
AIADMK has also criticized this statement of Stalin. According to party spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, DMK is tampering with the basic elements of the festival.
However, DMK clarified on the matter and said that this program was not for the general public, but for party workers. According to DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan, "Pongal is not a Hindu festival. In other states, of course, this day is celebrated as Sankranti, but in Tamil Nadu it has a different name, which clearly shows the difference between the two. Pongal is a Tamil festival."
Announcement of giving Rs 3000
Let us tell you that assembly elections are going to be held in Tamil Nadu this year, due to which politics on Pongal has intensified. The Stalin government has announced to give a cash amount of Rs 3000 to the ration card holders, so that people can buy essential items related to Pongal.