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A recent speech by Tamil lyricist and poet Vairamuthu has triggered a political firestorm in Tamil Nadu. His interpretation of Hindu god Ram’s actions in the Kamba Ramayanam drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While receiving an award named after the ancient Tamil poet Kambar, author of the Tamil epic Kamba Ramayanam, Vairamuthu cited a verse spoken by the character Vaali. In the epic, Vaali is the vanara (monkey) king of Kishkindha and elder brother of Sugriva. In this scene, Vaali confronts Ram, contrasting two moments in his life — Ram once gave up his own kingdom for the sake of his brother Bharatha, yet later, during his exile, killed Vaali and handed his kingdom to Sugriva. Vaali challenges the apparent inconsistency, asking why the ideal of sacrifice for a brother is applied in one situation but not in the other. He further suggests that Ram’s later actions could be excused due to emotional instability after losing Sita.
Interpreting the verse, Vairamuthu remarked, “Losing Sita, Raman had lost his mind. Someone who has lost his mind committing a crime is not considered a crime as per Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 84. I don’t know if Kambar knew the IPC but he knew the society.” He further described Ram as “an accused who was acquitted” and Kamban as having “become god.”
The BJP condemned the remarks, with Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran and spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy calling the comments “unacceptable” and “insulting” to a revered figure. Thirupathy accused Vairamuthu of “losing his mind” himself. The party also linked the controversy to Vairamuthu’s past disputes, including his controversial comments on Andal and allegations of sexual harassment against him during the Me Too movement, which he has denied.
Nagenthran questioned whether Chief Minister MK Stalin and DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan, who hosted the event, endorsed the lyricist’s views. He accused the DMK of “double standards” for promoting religious unity while not condemning remarks that could offend Hindu sentiments.
The DMK has not yet responded to the controversy.