

File photo of Rajinikanth. Photo by A Prathap/BCCL
Chennai: South superstar Rajinikanth on Friday said that there is an attempt to saffronise him as in the case of ancient sage-philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Neither Thiruvalluvar nor he will fall in the saffronisation trap, he affirmed.

Rajinikanth was responding to a query by reporters about his recent meeting with BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan and the speculation that the actor is inclined towards joining the BJP. Rajinikanth denied any offer being made to him by the BJP to join the party.

"Attempts are being made to paint me with saffron just like there was an attempt to saffronize Thiruvalluvar. Neither Thiruvalluvar nor me will fall in the trap," Rajinikanth said.

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Thiruvalluvar statue desecrated amid political row over BJP trying to saffronise the poet-philosopher

Even as the Dravidian parties led by the DMK took on the BJP for attempts to saffronise Thiruvalluvar, a statue of the sage was found desecrated by miscreants at Pillayarpatti near Thanjavur on Monday.

This is the first time the actor is distancing himself from the BJP in contrast to the popular perception that he has a soft corner for the saffron party. In the recent past, he has made several remarks which was read by political observers as "pro-BJP." However, it is a reality that there are no much takers for the BJP's brand of politics in Tamil Nadu and the saffron party is struggling to gain a foothold in the state. Presently, the only silver lining for BJP is that it has the support of the ruling AIADMK.

The actor noted that Thiruvalluvar was a sage. He is above caste and creed. He was a believer of God and not an atheist. Rajinikanth described the entire controversy which recently broke out over the saffronisation bid of Thiruvalluvar as "silly", when there were several other issues demanding serious attention.

He alluded that it was all right for the BJP to tweet the image of Thiruvalluvar with a saffron robe but disagreed with the subsequent desecration of the statue following the incident.

It may be recalled that the state unit of the BJP had tweeted a portrait of the poet depicting him wearing saffron robes to coincide with the release of the Thai translation of Thirukkural, the sacred verses authored by the poet-philosopher, in Bangkok recently thereby triggering a political row with dravidian parties condemning the move.

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Hindu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath drapes saffron shawl on Thiruvalluvar statue

Hindu Makkal Katchi, Arjun Sampath, on Wednesday draped a saffron shawl on a Thiruvalluvar's statue at Pillayarpatti near Thanjavur.

The actor also urged the people to maintain peace, irrespective of which way the Supreme Court verdict will go in the Ram Janmabhoomi case.

Rajinikanth who has already announced his entry into politics had stayed away from contesting or supporting any political party in the Lok Sabha polls. The actor today said that his Rajini Makkal Mandram will not contest in the upcoming civic polls as well. Rajinikanth said he will continue to act in films even after entering politics."MGR continued to act in films, after launching is party, till he became CM," Rajinikanth said.

He said that even now, there is a vacuum for a strong and able leadership in Tamil Nadu. He said this while responding to a question on his earlier statements about a political vacuum prevailing in the state, after the passing away of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi.

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Rajinikanth opposes Hindi imposition, says common language not possible in India

Veteran actor Rajinikanth on Wednesday said the concept of a common language in India was not possible and asserted any attempts of Hindi imposition would not be only be resisted by southern states, but even many in the North.

Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary Muralidhar Rao, while reacting to Rajinikanth's statement, said the party had never said that the actor had joined the BJP or would join it. "So I don't want to add to the speculation. Our party is also not interested in carrying forward the speculation," he told reporters here.
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