A top pontiff in Tamil Nadu has said that Hindu priests also know how to throw stones and soda bottles on “those who offend Hinduism,” reported The Indian Express.
Addressing a gathering on Friday night, the pontiff of Sri Manavala Mamunigal mutt in Srivilliputhur, Jeeyar Sadagopa Ramanujam, said, “Hindu priests are always considered peaceful. We also know how to pelt stones, throw soda bottles.” He, however, added that “we are not doing that.” But, appealed to believers to oppose anyone speaking “against Hinduism.”
Defending the pontiff, Union minister and BJP MP from Tamil Nadu, Pon Radhakrishnan said one has to understand the religious leader’s words properly. “He may have talked about throwing a soda bottle after drinking it (soda),” said the minister, as quoted by the newspaper.
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The pontiff’s statement has come amid the controversy around Tamil poet and writer Vairamuthu’s article in a local newspaper, in which he quoted a US scholar who had said that Hindu deity Andal was a “devadasi who lived and died in Sri Rangam Temple”.
The pontiff had earlier announced a protest, demanding that Vairamuthu should visit Srivilliputhur and apologise.
The Madras High Court had given an interim stay on all criminal proceedings against Vairamuthu, observing that the poet had only quoted a researcher, which is not an offence.
