Chennai: A gift presented by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister Ramesh to Chief Minister Vijay has triggered a fresh political and social debate.
According to reports, Ramesh, a young minister from the TVK, met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat to convey birthday wishes. During the meeting, he presented a Mother Mary statue and a book titled “Ulagha Sindhanai Sirpi Thanthai Periyar”.
The development has drawn attention because HR&CE ministers traditionally offer department-related mementos when meeting the Chief Minister. The report notes that even in earlier administrations, ministers handling the temple department typically presented temple-linked items, including prasadam, during such occasions.
Critics on social media and some Hindu organisations have questioned the choice of gifts, pointing to Ramesh’s public praise of E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar), who is described in the report as a critic of Hindu religious beliefs. The episode has since become a subject of wider discussion.
