Now, a death threat against Vairamuthu

BJP's state vice president Nainar Nagendran has issued death threats to acclaimed Tamil lyricist and novelist Vairamuthu for his controversial remarks on Andal, the saint-poetess revered among the 12 Alwars (Vaishnavite minstrels).

"We should not hesitate to kill anyone who speaks ill of Hindu religion. Shall we kill Vairamuthu or not?" Nagendran exhorted the crowd at a protest meet in Tirunelveli.

Nagendran alleged that Vairamuthu insulted Andal at the behest of DMK leader MK Stalin and Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani. "If I offer Rs 10 lakh for anyone who cuts the tongue of Vairamuthu, the police will immediately register a case against me. But no case was registered against Vairamuthu for insulting Andal," he said, appealing to the heads of mutts who shared the dais with him to "shut the mouths" of people like Vairamuthu, M Karunanidhi and Veeramani.

Core trouble

Vairamuthu has been under attack for his alleged reference to Andal as a ‘devadasi’ in an essay. Though he has tendered an apology, leaders of Hindu outfits have demanded a written apology