Vinayagar idols depicting Tamil Nadu CM Vijay: BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran seeks arrest of TVK functionaries
BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran has demanded the arrest of TVK functionaries for displaying Lord Vinayagar idols that resemble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. He argues that using religious icons for political publicity is disrespectful and offensive to public sentiment.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the intersection of religion and politics in regional Indian governance and the potential for cultural controversy.
BJP State unit president Nainar Nagenthran, on Tuesday (September 15, 2026), objected to idols of Lord Vinayagar displayed at Korukkupet in Chennai in the likeness of TVK founder and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and called for the arrest of the TVK functionaries who arranged for it.
Alleging that the idols amounted to disrespecting the deity, Mr. Nagenthran said transforming a religious icon revered and worshipped by millions of people for the purpose of promoting an individual and for political publicity demeaned the spiritual sentiments of the people. He alleged that Mr. Vijay’s “silence” and failure to condemn such acts at the outset had resulted in such transgressions continuing.
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