A huge controversy has erupted after a group of anarchists, Christian fundamentalist groups, VCK and Naxals organised a painting exhibition ‘Veedhi Virudhu Vizha’ on January 19 and 20 at Layola College in Chennai in which paintings denigrating Hinduism and India were displayed.
However, after it became a talking point in social media, a Loyola College faculty member tendered an unconditional apology.
According to college sources, a two-day cultural event was hosted to celebrate traditional folk arts. On the occasion, a painting exhibition was held featuring various artists. Most of the paintings denigrated Hindu gods and symbols, BJP and RSS. One of the painting had trishul with condom mounted on it while another had ‘Bharat Mata’ with the #MeToo hashtag. Anti-Sterlite protests were hailed, while there were paintings on Syrian war.
Senior BJP leader H Raja has come down heavily on the organisers. In a tweet, he said he had met the DGP and filed a complaint against the college. Raja tweeted: “At Chennai’s Loyola College, VCK, Communists, Naxalites and Christians, who are trying to change people’s religion, and other evil forces have come together and are conspiring against Hindu religion and they are launching an attack against the nation. A complaint has been filed with the police regarding this. The PM and Hindu religion have portrayed in a derogatory manner and action must be taken against this,” the BJP national secretary alleged on Twitter.
Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan also condemned the incident. Addressing the media on Sunday, she said that the paintings ‘made her blood boil.’
Dr Kaleeswaran, coordinator, Arts and Literary Unit, Loyola College, stated: “We are deeply pained, saddened and equally anguished that the venue to conduct a cultural event, Veethi Virudhu Vizha held on 19th and 20th Jan 2019 has been misused, our illustrious and pluralistic campus was used for derogative exhibits against a particular religious group, social institution, political party and the country’s leadership.”
“Loyola College is an institution of excellence that has cherished the plural values and ethos of the country with equal importance to each constituent member of the family where majority of our brethren are from the largest religious group. We do not advocate or support anything that tantamount to disturbing peace and tranquility of the society that we render our service to,” the statement added.
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