BJP Puts on a Show about Raja Raja Cholan Statue
TAMIL TRIBUNE, July 2006 (ID. 2006-07-02)
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Background
Emperor Raja Raja Cholan built the Thanjai Big Temple (also referred to as Thanjavur Peria Koil or Tanjore Big Temple) almost a thousand years ago; it took four years of construction and was dedicated in1010 AD. Over two decades ago the Tamil Nadu State government commissioned a statue of the Emperor and intended to place it within the outer walls of the Thanjai Big Temple (within the temple compound but not inside the temple). The Indian central government told the Tamil Nadu state government that it would not allow the statue inside the compound (although motor vehicle parking is allowed inside the compound). So the Tamilnadu government placed the statue in a nearby street. The outcome is, the many thousands of devotees and tourists who visit the temple do not see the statue [Reference 1].
News Brief
In May 2006 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L. Ganesan met Tamil Nadu State Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to congratulate him on becoming the state chief minister for the fifth time. On that occasion he urged the chief minister to use his influence with the Indian central government to install the Emperor Raja Raja Cholan statue within the temple compound. [Karunanidhi's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is presently a partner in the Congress-led coalition central government and thus should have influence at the central government.]
Commentary
This is nothing but a charade on the part of the BJP leader. From 1999 - 2004, BJP led a coalition government at the Indian central government and Karunanidhi's DMK was part of that coalition too. Why did not Ganesan join hands with Karunanidhi then and put pressure on the Indian government to move the Raja Raja Cholan statue into the temple compond? Would that not have more impact because Ganesan was a leader of BJP, the principal party of that ruling alliance? Ganesan did not do anything when his party was in a position to install the statue in the temple compound and now he gets enthusiastic about it.
Tamil people should not fall for these empty words and crocodile tears from politicians like Ganesan. What counts are deeds not words. When their party was in power these politicians do not do anything for Tamil but when out of power they are all talk and blame their opponents.
RELATED ARTICLES
1. Why is Emperor Raja Raja Cholan Standing outside the Thanjai Big Temple? (by Thanjai Nalankilli), TAMIL TRIBUNE, April 2001.
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