Latest news with #Sengol
The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Modi announces statues of Chola kings as BJP takes Shaivite route to cracking Tamil Nadu puzzle
Addressing the people gathered, Modi harked back to the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building. A gold-plated, silver sceptre, the Sengol was earlier housed at the Allahabad Museum. Emissaries from the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Matha, a Shaivite monastery, are believed to have had brought the Sengol to North India. Since then, the Sengol had been lying in the Allahabad museum for decades before it hit the headlines in 2023, when Modi, along with Hindu priests heading the 20 Adheenams in Tamil Nadu, installed it near the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair. On Sunday, participating in the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Tamil Nadu's Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, established by Rajendra Chola I in the then-capital of the Chola Empire, Prime Minister Modi said the statues would 'serve as modern pillars of India's historical consciousness'. Honouring Rajendra Chola I, he also released a commemorative coin at the temple, which is now celebrating its 1,000th anniversary. Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the government will install statues of Raja Raja Chola, who ruled the Chola empire at its peak in the 10th and early 11th centuries, and his son Rajendra Chola I in Tamil Nadu in the upcoming years. 'During the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the saints from the Shaivite Adheenams led the ceremony spiritually. The sacred Sengol, deeply rooted in Tamil culture, has been ceremoniously installed in the new Parliament,' Modi said, emphasising that the Shaivite tradition in the state had played a key role in shaping the country's cultural identity. 'Chola emperors were key architects of this legacy. Even today, Tamil Nadu remains one of the most significant centres—where this living tradition continues to thrive.' Political analysts in the state, however, say the PM's address is an extension of the BJP's efforts to gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. 'They (BJP leaders) have been trying to leverage the worship of Lord Vinayagar (Tamil Nadu's Ganesha) through the Vinayagar Chaturthi festival (also known as Ganesh Chaturthi) for a long time, and for the last couple of years, they have tried to leverage Murugan (Ganesha's brother and god of war and victory). Now, they have taken the Shaivite tradition and Lord Shiva to appease the people of Tamil Nadu and bring everyone under one umbrella as Hindus,' said A. Ramasamy, a political analyst and former head of Tamil department at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. However, BJP leaders in the state said that it was not about politics and that analysts are misreading intentions. Speaking to ThePrint, the BJP's former Tamil Nadu president, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said that the PM's visit demonstrated that history and legacy matter. 'Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple was a historically important temple, built 1,000 years ago, and the Prime Minister visiting it was a symbol of celebrating the past, and it has nothing to do with politics. By the visit of the Prime Minister to a small district, like Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the city has got the light of the country, and [I] hope it regains its past glory,' she told ThePrint. 'C hola Empire advanced democratic tradition s' Stating that the history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India, the PM said, 'The legacy of Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India's identity and pride.' He also said that it was the Chola Empire, which implemented democratic election practices first, centuries before Britain's Magna Carta came into being. 'While historians speak of Britain's Magna Carta in the context of democracy, the Chola empire had implemented democratic election practices centuries earlier, through the Kudavolai Amaippu system,' he said, adding that the Chola Empire also advanced India's democratic traditions but had often been overlooked in global narratives. Under the Kudavolai Amaippu system, the names of contestants for membership of the village 'Maha Sabhas' were written on palm leaves, with the winner selected by a lucky lot drawn in front of all villagers. The Prime Minister also highlighted a belief that Rajendra Chola I transported Ganga water from North India to South India. 'While many are remembered for acquiring gold, silver, or livestock from other regions, Rajendra Chola is recognised for bringing sacred Ganga water. Rajendra Chola transported Ganga water from North India and established it in the South,' Modi said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the Union government's Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam programmes.'The Chola rulers have woven a thread of cultural unity across India. Today, our government is carrying forward the ideals from the Chola era,' the PM said. he also emphasised that the Shaivite philosophy would pave the way for meaningful solutions for several crises. Referring to the teachings of Tirumular, who wrote 'Anbe Sivam', meaning 'Love is Shiva', he said that 'had the world embraced this thought, many crises could resolve on their own'. India, he proclaimed, is currently advancing this philosophy through the motto, 'One world, One Family, One Future'. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Tamil Nadu on mission to get Blue Flag tag for 4 of its beaches. But Marina presents a unique challenge
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India proved terror has no safe haven: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Operation Sindoor demonstrated India's response to threats against its sovereignty, fostering a new sense of self-assurance nationwide. He highlighted that the operation sent a clear message that enemies and terrorists targeting India would find no refuge. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Operation Sindoor showed the world the way India would respond if its sovereignty was attacked and that the cross-border military offensive has created a new self-confidence across the Sindoor also proved that for enemies and terrorists targeting India, there is no safe haven, Modi said in his address at an event here to honour the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola Modi emphasised that the cultural unity practised by the Chola rulers of the South is being carried forward by his government at the Centre as he referred to the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam , Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam and the installation of the Sengol in the Parliament Prime Minister visited the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and addressed the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival in who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi, underlined the connection between Kashi and the South with reverence for the Ganga river as a binding factor.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Ancient roadmap for Viksit Bharat': PM Modi hails Chola Empire's military, economic legacy in Tamil Nadu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday participated in the valedictory celebrations of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, marking the birth anniversary of the illustrious Chola emperor, Rajendra Chola I, at the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Chola Empire as an "ancient roadmap" for a developed India, highlighting its economic and military achievements as inspiration for building a strong and self-reliant nation. Speaking at the valedictory function of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu , Modi honoured the legacy of Rajendra Chola I and released a commemorative coin to mark the emperor's birth anniversary. 'The Chola Empire tells us that if we want to make Viksit Bharat, we must strengthen our navy and defence forces and explore new opportunities,' he said. Dressed in traditional veshti, white shirt, and angavasthram, the Prime Minister lauded the Chola navy as a model of strategic might and said modern India is now embracing the philosophy of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi, development with heritage. 'The economic and military heights India reached during the Chola era continue to inspire us even today,' he said. He noted that in the last decade, India has recovered over 600 ancient artefacts, with 36 from Tamil Nadu, underscoring efforts to reclaim the nation's heritage. 'Efforts have been made to recover ancient statues and artefacts stolen and sold abroad. After 2014, more than 600 have been brought back,' PM Modi said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence Might Be More Fun Than You Think Artificial Intelligence Course | Search Ad Undo He also referenced the symbolic role of Tamil Nadu in the inauguration of the new Parliament building: 'During the Parliament inauguration, saints from Shaivite Adheenams led the ceremony. The Sengol, deeply rooted in Tamil culture, was ceremoniously installed. That moment fills me with immense pride.' The Prime Minister said that cultural unity was central to the Chola vision, a legacy the current government is carrying forward through events like Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam. He also paid tribute to Rajendra Chola's architectural legacy, noting the global admiration for the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and the significance of the Maa Ganga festival celebrated on the banks of the sacred Kaveri River. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a roadshow in Tiruchirappalli, where crowds lined the streets to welcome him. The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the backdrop for the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival, which celebrates Tamil Shaiva Bhakti traditions and the legacy of the 63 Nayanmars—the saint-poets of Tamil Shaivism.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra: Opposition slams absence of national emblem on entry passes to legislative building
The Opposition slammed the absence of the national emblem on entry passes to the legislative building on Monday, the first day of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad tried to raise the issue in the House before the Speaker presented a condolence motion but was asked to raise it later. 'I wanted to raise it today itself. However, today's business was limited to passing condolence motion. I wanted to highlight how the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is undermining the Constitution and national emblem. How can they remove the emblem from the entry pass?' asked Awhad. The opposition said that it will raise the issue aggressively on Tuesday. However, according to sources within the state legislative building, it was an attempt to 'safeguard' the national emblem. 'The entry pass, after its use, either gets thrown into the garbage or torn into pieces. It leads to the insult of the national emblem. Therefore, it was not printed on the entry pass,' said the official. In a similar incident, during the two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State / UT Legislatures held in Mumbai. the national emblem was missing, and the Sengol was used instead.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sangh backed Emergency under Deoras' leadership, says Maha Cong chief Sapkal
Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday accused BJP of whitewashing its ideological past while launching selective attacks on the 1975 Emergency. On its 50th anniversary, Sapkal pointed to the documented support of then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras for Emergency and questioned why BJP distances itself from that legacy. "Balasaheb Deoras not only supported the Emergency, but even publicly disassociated the Sangh from the JP movement. Does BJP disown his stand now," Sapkal asked at a press meet. He argued that former premier Indira Gandhi's decision was taken within constitutional bounds to prevent national unrest and contrasted it with what he termed an "undeclared Emergency" under the current regime. Sharply reacting to the allegation, RSS publicity head Sunil Ambekar said thousands of Sangh volunteers were jailed and tortured during the Emergency. "Around 100 of them died in custody or due to the trauma of incarceration. Pandurang Kshirsagar Ji, then head of our national management committee, was among them. The Emergency remains a black spot on Indian democracy," he told TOI. BJP's national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe told a packed audience in Nagpur that the "satyagraha movement by RSS and leaders like JP Narayan" was a reality check for Indira Gandhi, who was under the impression that people had accepted the Emergency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Of the 1.3lakh people who joined the movement, 1.1lakh were from RSS and its affiliates," he said. Defending Indira Gandhi, Sapkal, however, said, "She lifted the Emergency, called for elections, and accepted defeat. Unlike today's govt, she didn't sell off national assets to corporate cronies," he said, referring to the privatisation of ports, airports, banks, mines, and Dharavi land over the past 11 years. Sapkal also criticised a recent govt ad campaign to exclude the national emblem while prominently featuring the 'Sengol'. "This is a symbolic attack on the Constitution. The ultimate goal is to replace it with Golwalkar's bunch of thoughts and create a theocratic state cloaked in cultural motifs," he alleged. Congress has released a special issue of 'Janmanasachi Shidori' featuring counter-narratives from authors like Pupul Jayakar, Kumar Ketkar, and Sena MP Sanjay Raut, aimed at presenting "the truth of the Emergency beyond BJP's propaganda. He further demanded a probe into alleged voter list manipulation in Nagpur South West, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's home constituency.
