A recent lecture by noted Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu on Lord Ram at a literary festival has caused new political controversy, with the BJP accusing him of offending religious sentiments.
Addressing a gathering during which he was awarded a prize in honor of the ancient Tamil poet Kambar, famous for his Tamil translation of the epic Ramayana, Vairamuthu had said that Lord Ram "lost his mind" when he was left alone without his wife Goddess Sita.
"After Ram was separated from Sita, he went mad and did not know what he was doing. Offences committed while in such a state of mind are not offences under IPC Section 84. Kamban might not have been aware of the law, but he knew society and the human mind," he said, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and former Union Minister S Jagathrakshagan.
He concluded, "Ram is completely absolved, pardoned—making Ram human and Kamban God."
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran deplored the comments as "unacceptable," wondering if Chief Minister Stalin endorsed Vairamuthu's statement. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy termed Vairamuthu "a fool" and one who was "someone who had lost his mind." The party also called him a "repeat offender," remembering his previous offensive statements on Andal, a Hindu goddess, that had earlier caused religious outrage.
But the controversy was brushed away by sources near Vairamuthu as a orchestrated misquote of his words. They explained that the speech was an interpretation in literary terms, not religious or political, and faulted critics for having a "preset anti-Vairamuthu mindset."
They argued that the aim was to underline Kamban's poetic excellence and humanize Lord Ram, rather than show disrespect to religious beliefs. The lyricist made reference to the literary criticism of the scene wherein Ram killed Vaali in ambush, clarifying that by situating the actions of Ram in the context of his own state of mind following the loss of Sita, Vairamuthu sought to confer "more glory" on Ram.
This row has once again opened up literary freedom, interpretation, and whether the BJP treats every such debate with a strictly religious bent. With Tamil Nadu assembly polls in 2026, the controversy has given the BJP new political ammunition.
Vairamuthu had also been accused during the Me Too campaign, when singer Chinmayi Sripaada alleged that he had harassed her. Vairamuthu had refuted the accusations and invited her to complain formally, saying he would wage the case legally.
The DMK, in the meanwhile, kept mum, and the row played out mainly between the BJP and Tamil literati who are his supporters.
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