CHENNAI: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who also heads the Jana Sena Party, has been booked by the Tamil Nadu Police in a criminal case. The complaint alleges that Kalyan violated Madras High Court directives regarding religious discourse during his speech at the “Bhagwan Murugan Bhakthajana Sammelan” (Lord Murugan Devotees’ Conference) held last month in Madurai.
The case also includes former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai and the main organizers of the devotees’ conference. The FIR was registered by Annanagar Police based on a complaint filed by S. Vanjinathan, advocate and coordinator of the Madurai People’s Federation for Communal Harmony.
Vanjinathan’s complaint alleges that the event violated the Madras High Court’s restrictions on delivering political and religious speeches at spiritual gatherings.
The charges have been registered under sections 196(1)(a), 299, 302, and 353(1)(b)(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police stated that the content of the speeches and electronic communications included language “provoking religious sentiments.”
The conference, held on a stage surrounded by replicas of Lord Murugan’s six holy abodes (Arupadaiveedu), reportedly saw the participation of over a lakh devotees. Pawan Kalyan, who was present wearing a green dhoti traditionally worn by Murugan devotees, alleged that “secularism has become a shield for some to insult Hindu deities.” He also criticized political leaders for questioning why a Murugan conference was held in Tamil Nadu.
The conference also passed six resolutions, including urging Hindus to vote unitedly in the upcoming assembly elections and demanding that the DMK government stop treating “temples as mere sources of revenue.”
Meanwhile, the AIADMK has remained silent on the Murugan conference. Despite their return to the NDA fold, AIADMK state leaders have maintained a distance from events associated with the BJP.
