Deliberate attempt to insult Hindus; replica of Srivilliputhur temple gopuram installed atop former political leader's burial site
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 
16 April, 2025
Case Summary
A political row erupted in Tamil Nadu after a replica of the Srivilliputhur temple gopuram was installed atop the memorial of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at Marina Beach in Chennai. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for insulting Hindu sentiments. BJP leader K Annamalai targeted Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, PK Sekar Babu, for decorating the memorial with a structure resembling a temple tower. Annamalai stated that the minister had gone beyond acceptable limits by turning a burial site into something resembling a Hindu temple. He accused the DMK of long exploiting religious sentiments while professing atheism, and described the use of temple architecture at the tomb of an atheist leader as a deliberate provocation. Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy also condemned the act, calling it a display of arrogance and a direct attack on Hindu beliefs. Supporters of the DMK responded by highlighting the cultural importance of the Srivilliputhur gopuram, which formed part of the official Tamil Nadu state emblem. They argued that the structure was not purely religious but a symbol of Tamil architecture and pride. The emblem, which was designed in 1949, featured the temple tower alongside the Lion Capital and national flags. According to the DMK, the inclusion of the gopuram at the memorial reflected Karunanidhi’s stature and the cultural identity of the state rather than a religious message. This controversy followed a similar incident in April 2023, when the depiction of the gopuram at the memorial by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department had also drawn criticism. The episode reignited ongoing debates in Tamil Nadu over the role of religion in politics. While BJP leaders described the decoration as anti-Hindu and disrespectful, others, such as Tamil Nadu Congress chief K Selvaperuthugai, defended it, stating that Karunanidhi was seen as a god-like figure due to his welfare schemes. The DMK had not issued an official statement in response at the time.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. The sub-category relevant in this case is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbols. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. The other sub-category selected is- Iconoclastic representation of Hindu Gods/Goddesses. An icon is a symbol of someone or something that is revered, or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Any iconoclastic representation of these symbols, images and murtis is an affront to the religious beliefs and faith of the Hindu community itself since the symbols and icons are deeply religious in nature. In this sub-category of crime, we would record hate crimes and iconoclastic representations, in words, art, or any other form of representations of symbols that hold religious significance for the Hindu community. Since these symbols, icons and murtis are central to the Hindu faith, any iconoclastic representation of these symbols is born out of animosity towards the faith itself, manifesting itself through these symbols and therefore, these representations would be considered religiously motivated hated crimes. The act of placing a temple gopuram—an architectural symbol intrinsically linked to Hindu places of worship—on the tomb of a political leader who had openly rejected religion represented a deliberate and provocative misuse of Hindu religious iconography. The placement, particularly in a context unrelated and even opposed to religious sentiment, deeply offended Hindu beliefs and sentiments, as it reflected a disregard for the sanctity and intended spiritual purpose of such symbols. Given the gopuram’s religious significance, the act was not merely a political gesture but one fuelled by hostility towards Hindu traditions. Further, the iconoclastic use of the gopuram at a burial site undermined the sacred character of Hindu temple architecture, which is designed for divine reverence and ritual. Such representations, removed from their spiritual intent and recontextualised in a way that mocks or negates their significance, amounted to an affront to Hindu faith. The deliberate juxtaposition of sacred imagery with the ideological stance of atheism not only belittled the beliefs of Hindus but also transformed religious symbolism into a tool of political messaging, thereby constituting a religiously motivated hate crime under the sub-categories of desecration and iconoclastic representation.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
