Visit temples, Vaiko tells the faithful now

In a surprising and sensational move, MDMK chief Vaiko, who proclaims himself to be a loyal follower of EVR Periyar, the rationalist founder of Dravidian ideology that spawned the DMK and other kazhagams, has now exhorted all the Tamils to visit temples, which he says are treasure houses of great sculptures.

“There’s nothing wrong in going to temples, 99 per cent of people in Tamil Nadu are going to temples and other places of worship. We must change our stance and strategy to suit the changing times”, said Vaiko addressing a MDMK rally here on the occasion of the Mupperum Vizha on Sunday.

Then came his political missile — “We must change our strategy to defeat the designs of mathavaathi-sakithigal (communal forces)”.

Obviously, the ‘forces’ he referred to were the saffron outfits — the BJP, RSS and Hindu allies.

“The question will be asked why Vaiko, who has been an atheist all along, is now changed in this manner and if I had deserted Periyar’s ideology.

Anna himself had changed; he did not speak in 1960 what he had said in the 40s and 50s. We must change our strategy to prevent our enemies from taking control, winning power. Veeramani (DMK president) may not agree with me”, thundered Vaiko.

“If you do not want to go temples, do not go; but why do you criticise or poke fun at those who go to temples?” asked Vaiko, pointing out that “99 per cent of people in Tamil Nadu go to temples and you cannot stop them”.