Top All Iinda Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leaders were sharply criticised for what was described as their passive and embarrassing presence at the Murugan Conference (Murugan Maanadu) in Madurai — a Hindutva-backed gathering that turned into a platform for veiled attacks on Dravidianism and its icons.

The event, organised by the Hindu Munnani and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other Sangh Parivar outfits was pitched as a spiritual conference but quickly spiralled into a political spectacle. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai and several Sangh Parivar leaders used the stage to rally against perceived neglect of Hindu interests, often in contrast to the Dravidian movement.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palanasamy extended his greetings to the event. Five senior AIADMK leaders — RB Udhayakumar, Sellur K Raju, VV Rajan Chellappa, Kadambur C Raju and KT Rajenthra Bhalaji — were deputed by the party to attend. According to reports, the leadership’s decision was taken “to project unity” in the BJP-AIADMK alliance, but it quickly backfired.

A controversial audio-visual presentation shown at the conference displayed images of Thanthai Periyar, CN Annadurai, and M Karunanidhi — all revered Dravidian leaders — with derogatory commentary describing them as “atheist jackals” and “fake Dravidianists.” Banners at the venue also called for the “annihilation” of the Dravidian movement in favour of establishing a “Divine Tamil Nadu.”

The silence of AIADMK leaders during these moments drew sharp criticism from ruling party ministers. Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Minister PK Sekarbabu, reacting to their participation, accused the AIADMK of surrendering to the BJP. “This clearly indicates that the AIADMK has executed a charter of slavery to the BJP,” he said.

He also asked how AIADMK leaders could sit on stage with figures like K Annamalai and H Raja, known for their strident anti-Dravidian stances. “It is shameful that former AIADMK ministers took part in this anti-Dravidian conference under the guise of the Murugan Manadu,” added Minister S Regupathy.

Sekarbabu also responded to the resolution passed at the conference demanding the removal of temples from government control, asking, “What do they expect? That temples be handed over to BJP functionaries?” He called such proposals dangerous and ignorant of Tamil Nadu’s legislative history, citing the HR & CE Act of 1959.

The conference, which saw massive turnout from across southern Tamil Nadu, particularly from Mukkulathor community strongholds, passed six resolutions urging Hindu unity, resisting religious conversions, and removing HR & CE control from temples. The Agamudayar, Kallar, and Maravar castes, categorised as Other Backward Class (OBC), refer to themselves as the Mukkulathor or as Thevars. The communities form a significant portion of AIADMK’s vote-bannk.

Despite a court order restricting political speeches, BJP leaders used the event to make thinly veiled attacks on the ruling DMK. Annamalai compared “Swami” with “Nidhi”, interpreted as a jab at Udhayanidhi Stalin and Edappadi Palaniswami.

The DMK and its allies, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), criticised the AIADMK for joining hands with groups openly targeting the Dravidian legacy.

Meanwhile, KT Rajenthra Bhalaji responded to the controversy saying that Dravidian icons should not have been criticised.