Row over a portrait of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar wearing Saffron robes and Rudraksha

Minister criticises the portrait

Chennai – A controversy erupted after a portrait of the renowned Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar was displayed during a Thiruvalluvar Day celebration at Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan in Guindy, Chennai. The portrait depicted Thiruvalluvar wearing saffron robes, a Rudraksha garland around his neck, and sacred ash on his forehead. Arun Raj, a minister in the Tamil Nadu government, condemned the portrait. The event was presided over by Mr Rajendra Arlekar, the Governor of Tamil Nadu.

🕉️ Thiruvalluvar Saffron Row Exposes TVK's Double Standards

A controversy has erupted over the portrait of revered Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar displayed at Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan, depicting Him in saffron robes with a rudraksha mala.

Minister from Joseph Vijay's cabinet Arun… pic.twitter.com/D3Dbbs7Y4C

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) June 1, 2026

No minister from Joseph Vijay’s cabinet attended

Interestingly, none of the ministers from Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s cabinet attended the function at Lok Bhavan. This absence further intensified political discussions surrounding both the event and the controversy over the portrait. (Will ministers of a Christian Chief Minister ever attend a programme related to Hindu Dharma? – Editor)

It is wrong to associate Thiruvalluvar with a colour linked to any particular religion: Minister Arun Raj

(Why do such ministers not attempt to associate the 16th-century Sufi Saint Hasrat Syed Shahul Hameed (known as Nagore Andavar) with all religions rather than specifically with Islam? – Editor)

Arun Raj stated that portraying Thiruvalluvar in saffron attire at Lok Bhavan or at any government or public institution is inappropriate. According to him, Thiruvalluvar belongs to all humanity and associating him with a colour linked to a particular religion goes against the spirit of the poet’s universal vision. He said that trying to confine Thiruvalluvar to a single colour is like attempting to contain the ocean in a vessel. He added that Thiruvalluvar’s work, Tirukkural, speaks about universal moral values and principles that guide human life, rather than the doctrines of any one religion. He also accused certain groups of misusing the poet’s image for political gain.