S. Joseph Vijay, who assumed office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, came to Madurai for the first time on the 28th of last month. Police personnel began security duties around the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital, where the launch event for the Thaimaman Thanga மோதிரம் scheme was held, two days in advance.
To welcome him, who had come to launch the Thaimaman Thanga மோதிரம் scheme, banners were put up on Sept. 26 along the routes he would travel, including Viraganur Junction, Guruvikkaran Road, and Panagal Road, where the Government Rajaji Hospital is located. Tall poles were erected at various places, and TVK flags were tied to them.
Because of these preparations, there was widespread fear among the people of Madurai that hundreds of banners would be put up on both sides of the road in the areas from Madurai airport to the Government Rajaji Hospital to welcome the Chief Minister; that TVK flags would fly on both sides along the route; that traffic would be affected; and that medical services for the public at Madurai Government Hospital would be disrupted for a day or two.
However, when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay arrived in Madurai on Monday (Sept. 28), there was not even a single welcome banner along the 14-km stretch from Madurai airport to Government Rajaji Hospital, which he covered by road. Likewise, there were no tall flagpoles erected here and there. Moreover, until an hour before the Chief Minister’s arrival, no restrictions were imposed on public transport on Panagal Road, where Rajaji Government Hospital is located. At the hospital, there was also no prolonged disruption to public medical services for the general public.
It is said that the only instruction Chief Minister S. Joseph gave—that his visit should not cause any inconvenience to public transport or the general public—was the reason for all this. Because of this order, it is understood that the welcome banners and party flags that had already been put up were removed overnight on Sept. 27.
In the past, when chief ministers visited, huge banners and flags would occupy public spaces and cause inconvenience to the public and traffic. In contrast, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s nearly 28 km road journey in Madurai, without such displays, has brought happiness and respect among the public. Political observers say that through this, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has registered himself in the hearts of the people of Madurai as a true "democrat."
The biggest temple consecration ceremony held after the formation of the TVK government was the consecration of the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. Although many groups had invited the Chief Minister to take part in this event, he did not participate. As far as this ceremony is concerned, it cannot be denied that the decision not to allow devotees on Chithirai Street has been widely criticized. Even though there were a thousand regrets and grievances, it is noteworthy that no untoward incident was allowed to occur at this event, which drew tens of thousands of people.
Before the election vote count, he went to the Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple as the TVK leader, where he offered a vel as a donation and worshipped. However, after that, in the Thiruparankundram issue, the TVK government followed the previous government’s stance. Because of this, it was thought that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay wanted to identify himself as the face of the minorities.
As a result, when he came to Madurai for the government function held on the 28th, it was anticipated whether he would visit the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. In this temple, if people of other religions wish to have darshan of the deity, they must give a written assurance that they have faith in Hindu religious worship. Whether the Chief Minister would give this assurance was the main reason for the anticipation.
In this situation, on the evening of Sept. 28, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay went to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The temple administration confirms that Chief Minister Vijay and his personal security officer, Nayeem Musa, gave written assurances that they have faith in Hindu religious worship. It is said that the Chief Minister stated that he did not wish to violate the temple rules in any way.
At the temple entrance, during the purnakumbha ceremonial welcome, the Chief Minister applied the vibhuti and kumkum given to him on his forehead and offered darshan at the Amman shrine and the Swami shrine. After completing the darshan and leaving for the airport by road, the Chief Minister continued his journey with the vibhuti and kumkum still on his forehead.
Through this, he has disproved speculation that he would wipe off the vibhuti and kumkum he had applied as soon as he came out of the temple in order to attract minority votes, and has affirmed his identity as Joseph Vijay, say neutral observers, as a Chief Minister for both minorities and majorities alike.
Similarly, the fact that the names of the chairman and members of the trustees’ committee were not included in the invitation for the consecration ceremony of the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, and former minister Palanivel Thiagarajan’s statement that the temple administration was pressuring his mother, Rukmani Palanivel Rajan, to step down from the post of chairman of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple trustees’ committee, had caused controversy.
In this situation, when Chief Minister Joseph Vijay visited the temple last Monday, trustees’ committee chairman Rukmani Palanivel Rajan welcomed him by presenting a golden shawl.
At that time, the minister present, C.T.R. Nirmalkumar, informed the Chief Minister that Rukmani Palanivel Rajan was the mother of former minister Palanivel Thiagarajan. Immediately, Chief Minister Vijay inquired after Rukmani Palanivel Rajan’s well-being and also bowed to receive her blessings. This courteous gesture by the Chief Minister has surprised even those who criticized him.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s visit to Madurai is being seen as an indication that he has succeeded in his effort to establish himself as a Chief Minister for everyone and as a true democrat.
