<p>Tamil Nadu Minister of Transport SS Sivasankar stirred up a controversy after he claimed that there was no historical evidence of Lord Ram's existence.</p>

<p>Speaking at an event in Ariyalur, the transport minister said it was the responsibility of one and all to celebrate the legacy of Rajendra Chola (Rajendra I of Chola dynasty) or else the "people will be forced to celebrate something which has no connection to them”.</p>

<p>“Tangible evidence, such as ponds and temples, attests to the historical existence of Rajendra Chola. His name is inscribed in scripts and his likeness captured in sculptures. In contrast, there is no concrete historical record of Ram's existence. The assertion of his divinity and incarnation is just to manipulate our perception of history," said Shivashankar.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wayanad-landslide-death-toll-over-340-nearly-300-still-missing-top-updates-746736">Wayanad landslide: Death toll over 340, nearly 300 still missing | Top updates</a></p>

<p>Reacting to Sivasankar's remark, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai questioned DMK’s "obsession with Lord Ram”.</p>

<p>“DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold — who would've thought? Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our PM Modi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex?,” questioned Annamalai.</p>

<p>“The DMK's newfound appreciation for India's rich cultural and historical legacy is a surprising departure from their longstanding focus on post-1967 Tamil Nadu. It's almost ironic that within the same party, we have ministers holding contrasting views on Lord Ram. Perhaps a constructive dialogue between Thiru Regupathy and Thiru Sivasankar could shed light on this discrepancy," Annamalai said.</p>

<p>The BJP leader, Annamalai was referring to another remark by state Law Minister Regupathy, who called Lord Ram as the "forerunner of the Dravidian model".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Tamil Nadu Minister of Transport SS Sivasankar stirred up a controversy after he claimed that there was no historical evidence of Lord Ram's existence. Speaking at an event in Ariyalur, the transport minister said it was the responsibility of one and all to celebrate the legacy of Rajendra Chola (Rajendra I of Chola dynasty) or else the "people will be forced to celebrate something which has no connection to them”.

Tamil Nadu Minister of Transport SS Sivasankar stirred up a controversy after he claimed that there was no historical evidence of Lord Ram's existence. Speaking at an event in Ariyalur, the transport minister said it was the responsibility of one and all to celebrate the legacy of Rajendra Chola (Rajendra I of Chola dynasty) or else the "people will be forced to celebrate something which has no connection to them”. “Tangible evidence, such as ponds and temples, attests to the historical existence of Rajendra Chola. His name is inscribed in scripts and his likeness captured in sculptures. In contrast, there is no concrete historical record of Ram's existence. The assertion of his divinity and incarnation is just to manipulate our perception of history," said Shivashankar. Also read: Wayanad landslide: Death toll over 340, nearly 300 still missing | Top updates Reacting to Sivasankar's remark, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai questioned DMK’s "obsession with Lord Ram”. “DMK's sudden obsession with Bhagwan Shri Ram is truly a sight to behold — who would've thought? Isn't it fascinating how quickly DMK leaders' memories fade? Weren't they the same folks who opposed our PM Modi for installing the Chola Dynasty Sengol in the new Parliament Complex?,” questioned Annamalai. “The DMK's newfound appreciation for India's rich cultural and historical legacy is a surprising departure from their longstanding focus on post-1967 Tamil Nadu. It's almost ironic that within the same party, we have ministers holding contrasting views on Lord Ram. Perhaps a constructive dialogue between Thiru Regupathy and Thiru Sivasankar could shed light on this discrepancy," Annamalai said. The BJP leader, Annamalai was referring to another remark by state Law Minister Regupathy, who called Lord Ram as the "forerunner of the Dravidian model". (With inputs from agencies)

No evidence Lord Ram existed, says DMK minister SS Sivasankar

<p>An ancient symbol depicting a state of growth and transfer of power will be prominently installed in India's soon-to-be-inaugurated parliament building in New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new parliament building will have the Sengol -- a ceremonial club-like object embellished with ancient India's symbols of power, honour, prestige and continuity of people's hold on those in power -- placed near the seat of Lok Sabha speaker.</p>

<p>Lok Sabha or People's House, is the lower house of India's parliament, directly elected by the people.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is Sengol: Past and Present</strong></h2>

<p>Sengol's origin can be traced back to the Chola dynasty of South India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In contemporary times, the Sengol held deep cultural importance in Tamil Nadu state.</p>

<p>The Sengol in Tamil Nadu state is also taken as a mark of heritage and tradition, serving as an integral part of various cultural events, festivals, and significant ceremonies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-is-the-row-over-indias-new-parliament-building-inauguration-595913">Explained | What is the row over India's new parliament building inauguration?</a></strong></p>

<p>Later, shortly before India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced the dawn of freedom in the country and freedom from the British on midnight of August 15th, he received Sengol from Tamil Nadu. It was regarded by leaders of the time as a symbol of India's diverse traditions depicting a sense of continuity of traditions since the third century BCE.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="ta">புனிதம் வாய்ந்த 'செங்கோலின்' வரலாற்று முக்கியத்துவத்தையும், ஆங்கிலேயர்களிடம் இருந்து இந்தியா சுதந்திரம் பெறும் அதிகார மாற்ற நிகழ்வில் செங்கோலின் ஒருங்கிணைந்த பங்களிப்பையும் உணர்த்தும் உணர்வுமிக்க குறும்படம்.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SengolAtNewParliament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SengolAtNewParliament</a> <a href="https://t.co/5jCsONsgwI">pic.twitter.com/5jCsONsgwI</a></p>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1661341808524156935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>It has also been described as a symbol of achieving independence, and a sign of the shift of power from the British to the people of India.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Indian PM Modi inspects construction site of new parliament building</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-pm-modi-inspects-construction-site-of-new-parliament-building-416276/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi would receive it from South India's Tamil Nadu state prior to the official inauguration of the new parliament building.</p>

<p>Describing Sengol's significance, India's Union Home Minister Amit Shah said:</p>

<p id="1">“This&nbsp;<em>Sengol&nbsp;</em>has a huge significance. At around 10.45 PM on August 14, 1947, late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru received this&nbsp;<em>Sengol&nbsp;</em>from Tamil Nadu, and in the presence of several senior leaders, he accepted this as a symbol of achieving independence. It is a sign of a shift of power from Britishers to The people of this country."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


An ancient symbol depicting a state of growth and transfer of power will be prominently installed in India's soon-to-be-inaugurated parliament building in New Delhi.

An ancient symbol depicting a state of growth and transfer of power will be prominently installed in India's soon-to-be-inaugurated parliament building in New Delhi. The new parliament building will have the Sengol -- a ceremonial club-like object embellished with ancient India's symbols of power, honour, prestige and continuity of people's hold on those in power -- placed near the seat of Lok Sabha speaker. Lok Sabha or People's House, is the lower house of India's parliament, directly elected by the people. What is Sengol: Past and Present Sengol's origin can be traced back to the Chola dynasty of South India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world. In contemporary times, the Sengol held deep cultural importance in Tamil Nadu state. The Sengol in Tamil Nadu state is also taken as a mark of heritage and tradition, serving as an integral part of various cultural events, festivals, and significant ceremonies. ALSO READ | Explained | What is the row over India's new parliament building inauguration? Later, shortly before India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced the dawn of freedom in the country and freedom from the British on midnight of August 15th, he received Sengol from Tamil Nadu. It was regarded by leaders of the time as a symbol of India's diverse traditions depicting a sense of continuity of traditions since the third century BCE. புனிதம் வாய்ந்த 'செங்கோலின்' வரலாற்று முக்கியத்துவத்தையும், ஆங்கிலேயர்களிடம் இருந்து இந்தியா சுதந்திரம் பெறும் அதிகார மாற்ற நிகழ்வில் செங்கோலின் ஒருங்கிணைந்த பங்களிப்பையும் உணர்த்தும் உணர்வுமிக்க குறும்படம்.#SengolAtNewParliament pic.twitter.com/5jCsONsgwI — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 24, 2023 × It has also been described as a symbol of achieving independence, and a sign of the shift of power from the British to the people of India. ALSO WATCH | Indian PM Modi inspects construction site of new parliament building × India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi would receive it from South India's Tamil Nadu state prior to the official inauguration of the new parliament building. Describing Sengol's significance, India's Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “This Sengol has a huge significance. At around 10.45 PM on August 14, 1947, late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru received this Sengol from Tamil Nadu, and in the presence of several senior leaders, he accepted this as a symbol of achieving independence. It is a sign of a shift of power from Britishers to The people of this country." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What is Sengol, the symbol of Chola legacy that is set to stand tall in India's new parliament?

chola-legacy

Chola Legacy, News on Chola Legacy, stories on Chola Legacy, articles on Chola Legacy, Chola Legacy stories at Wion, Chola Legacy news, Chola Legacy latest news

chola legacy

No evidence Lord Ram existed, says DMK minister SS Sivasankar

What is Sengol, the symbol of Chola legacy that is set to stand tall in India's new parliament?