“No one should talk about a mother or a god on a stage that has been set up on some road anywhere in the world. If they do, we must go there… For so long, us saamiyaars (godmen) have been sitting quietly. But we can also throw glass… We can pick up soda bottles… We have the courage for anything.”
These were the exact words of the Srivilliputhur godman, Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar, while he was addressing a gathering of Hindus demanding a public apology from lyricist Vairamuthu over the Andal row. The jeeyar was flanked by two saffron clad godmen, who were laughing and cheering on the threat of violence that he issued.
And perhaps he knew how controversial his words were, for the jeeyar immediately made a soft retraction even as the audience cheered.
“But, since we should not do that, as per faith, we pray that Andal gives everyone good brains. This kind of difficult situation should not be faced by Hindu people anymore,” he quickly added.
The comments were made at a meeting of Hindu godmen organised by the Hindu Dharma Vizhipunarvu Iyakkam on Friday, demanding a public apology from Vairamuthu, in addition to their pending request that he fall at the feet of the Andal deity at Srivilliputhur.
Poet and lyricist Vairamuthu kicked up a massive controversy when he gave a speech on the Alvar saint Andal, titled ‘Tamizhai Aandaal’ in Srivilliputhur earlier in January. The speech was reproduced in the Tamil daily, Dinamani. Vairamuthu had quoted a researcher, who in turn had said, “Andal herself is a Devadasi who lived and died in the Sri Rangam Temple.”
As Hindus took offence to what they saw as a comment demeaning Andal, Vairamuthu expressed regret multiple times, the latest being a video released by him.
But critics have refused to let the controversy die. The Jeeyar, referring to Vairamuthu's video clarification where he had equated Andal to his own mother, said, "Until he comes to Srivilliputhur and apologises... We Hindu people are children of Andal. He who wronged our mother – until he apologises, we all will protest.”
The godman further asked the gathered audience to be ready to take the fight up further.
“By February 3, if an apology is not tendered at Srivilliputhur, we will call everyone by phone from there. In order that no other man speaks of the Hindu religion, or divide the Hindu people, you all must come together and listen to us. Will you listen to us?" the jeeyar asked.
Even as the audience is heard clapping, the Jeeyar continues, "We should also make those around us listen." The godmen flanking the Jeeyar nod their heads in agreement.
Following this, the godman makes the shocking threat of violence, followed by his almost *conditions apply retraction. “No one should talk about a mother or a god on a stage that has been set up on some road anywhere in the world. If they do, we must go there… For so long, us saamiyaars (godmen) have been sitting quietly. But we can also throw glass… We can pick up soda bottles… We have the courage for anything.”
The jeeyar’s remarks have earned him severe criticism. VCK leader Ravikumar questioned the comments, saying: “The jeeyar who says he knows how to throw soda bottles and stones – how many of the Nalayira Divya Prabantham can he recite without looking (at a text)?”
சோடா பாட்டில் வீசுவது கல்லெறிவது எல்லாம் தெரியும் என்று கூறும் ஜீயருக்கு நாலாயிர திவ்யபிரபந்தத்தில் எத்தனை பாடல்களைப் பார்க்காமல் சொல்லத் தெரியும்?
— Ravikumar (@WriterRavikumar) January 27, 2018
The Nalayira Divya Prabantham is a collection of 4000 Tamil verses written by the Alvar saints.
Tamil meme makers meanwhile have been busy taking the godman’s case.
One meme had a picture of Vadivelu talking to a police officer in a movie in which he repeatedly tried to prove that he is a rowdy. It says, "I have newly formed in this area. I swear on my mother that I am a rowdy."
Another one was also a Vadivelu meme with Vadivelu sitting on a small cart being pushed by his goons. However, Vadivelu's face was replaced with the jeeyar's. It said, "Aiyayo, jeeyar has left with soda bottles, now we don't know how many people's heads will break, oh god!"