‘No Hindu religion in Chola times’: Kamal Haasan backs director Vetrimaaran

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• Oct 7, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Interestingly, Vetimaaran's remarks came just a day after the release of the film "Ponniyin Selvan: 1...

Digital Desk: The actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has backed up the director Vetrimaran's claim that Raja Raja Cholan was not a Hindu king by saying that there was no such thing as "Hindu religion" during the Chola era. The statement by the National Award-winning Tamil filmmaker has sparked heated arguments about the identity of the king. It all started at an event Vetrimaaran attended, where he raised a few eyebrows when he claimed, "Raja Raja Chozlan was not Hindu, but the BJP is attempting to steal our identity. They have already tried to saffronize Thiruvalluvar. We should never allow that."

In support of him, Kamal Haasan echoed similar comments and said, "There was no name called 'Hindu religion' during Raja Raja Cholan's period. There was Vainavam, Shivam, and Samanam, and it was the British who coined the term Hindu since they didn't know how to refer to it collectively. It is similar to how they changed Thuthukudi into Tuticorin."

Additionally, he claimed that there were other religions practiced at the time and that Adhishankarar had created "Shanmadha Stabanam" in the 8th century.

Interestingly, Vetimaaran's remarks came just a day after the release of the film "Ponniyin Selvan: 1,' which is based on a fictional novel inspired by Raja Raja Cholan. Although Vetimaaran did find support from Haasan, the BJP came out all guns blazing at the director.

BJP leader H Raja has stated that Raja Raja Chola was indeed a Hindu king. He questioned Vetimaran - "I am not well versed with history like Vetrimaran, but let him point out two churches and mosques built by Raja Raja Cholan. He called himself Sivapadha Sekaran. Wasn't he a Hindu then?"

Meanwhile, BJP leader H Raja has stated that Raja Raja Chola was indeed a Hindu king. He questioned Vetimaran—"I am not well versed in history like Vetrimaran, but let him point out two churches and mosques built by Raja Raja Cholan. He called himself Sivapadha Sekaran. Wasn't he a Hindu then?"

This is not the first time that a statement on Raja Raja Cholan has garnered media attention in Tamil Nadu. Filmmaker P A Ranjith sparked controversy in 2019 by criticizing the king. He claimed at the time that the former king's reign was a dark era for Dalits. He claimed, "Land had been forcibly taken away from them and many forms of caste oppression had begun during Raja Raja Cholan's reign".