Huge rocks were broken down into smaller pieces to enable their being transported to the site. Trees were uprooted and fetched to the seafront. To arrange the rocks in a straight line, heavy ropes were required. As per the directions of Nala, the boulders were placed alongside uprooted trees by the Vanaras. When completed, the causeway looked like an array of stars in the sky. Viewed from the sky, the causeway looked like the parting of the tresses of a woman. The Vanaras crossed the sea by walking on the causeway…"

The above bold words  are the nearest English meaning of details provided in the Valmiki Ramayana.

Therefore, the CM ought to have logically asked the question, "Which university did Nala attend?"

Had the CM done so, we could have replied on the basis of details available and replied, 'Nala learnt his craft from father and was a famous expert of his time.'

Be that as may be, can the CM who asked about the educational qualifications of Rama (n) raise similar other queries enumerated hereunder?

[A] "It is said that Goddess Kannagi burnt down Madurai by flinging her sundered breast into the city. Now where did she learn the incendiary technique?" This could be one of Kalaignar's questions. But I wouldn't subscribe to it because, I am aware of the fact that this was an exhibition of the power of the Goddess's chastity.

[B] Can the CM who wrote a treatise on Tholkappiyar's seminal work, which determined the origin of Tamil grammar, demand to know as to who taught the creator the nuances of the language? I wouldn't dare asking such a question because I have accepted the fact that our ancient ancestors possessed deep insights into several matters which are yet to be deduced by the modern man.

[C] "Where did Saint Thiruvalluvar learn the art of writing poetry in Tamil and the art of using similes and metaphors?" This could be the next query of Kalaignar. I can't do any such thing because in my opinion, Thiruvalluvar was blessed by the Almighty to have a hitherto unknown expertise and command over language and expression.

[D] Let these pass. Has Kalaignar, who has reserved the choicest abuses for Hindu deities, ever questioned the beliefs of other religions? For instance, Muslims believe that a strand of hair of Prophet Mohammed [PBUH] has been preserved in the Hazratbal Mosque in Kashmir and accord great respect to it. Has the CM questioned the veracity of this claim? I wouldn't do so because I respect the greats of other religions. Making irreverent remarks about such personalities, I know, is not only indecent, but also uncultured.

[E] Will Karunanidhi question the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent resurrection by demanding to know the medical methodology adopted to achieve such a feat? I, for one, wouldn't think of committing such a perfidy because I know that to do so would be barbaric.

[F] Further, the CM has gone on record stating that his fascination for yellow robes has stemmed from the fact that The Buddha sported them. "Where is evidence that proves that The Enlightened One adorned himself with the raiment of that colour? Which factory had dyed the clothing in that hue?" could be yet another rhetoric of radicals like the CM. I would not indulge in such an exercise because criticising the lives of Avatars, according to me, is complete foolhardiness.

Karunanidhi has cited [the late PM Jawaharlal] Nehru's opinion that Ramayana is mere fiction to buttress his argument.

Claims of atheists, including those of Nehru, against Ramayana or other Hindu beliefs cannot be accepted as the bulwark to belittle them.

In the meanwhile, how will Karunanidhi, who cites Nehru's words as the gospel truth, (oops, it ought to be called the Periyar edict) heed another statement attributed to India's first PM? Nehru had referred to the DMK as "nonsense." The DMK cadres had protested violently against Nehru on that count.

Since it was Nehru's remark, why did the party demonstrate against the comment instead of accepting it as a respectable axiom?

The Chief Minister has mealy mouthed the Hindus because he believes that they are idiots. Else, would he dare to vilify a deity worshipped by nearly a billion people?

Power coupled with pelf and position has corrupted the intellect of the CM absolutely.

And by the way, which qualification does Karunanidhi, who questions Lord Ram's engineering credentials, possess to be the administrative head of Tamil Nadu?

Well, he can say that he does so at the will of the people. But almost three fourths of them have accepted Lord Ram as an incarnation of divinity.

Can the CM say that he doesn't at all need the votes of the foolish people who revere Ram?

Even if he doesn't, I am saying it.

Voting for a man and his party which heap insults on Hindu deities in future will be a crying shame.


(Translated from Thuglak by TSV Hari )