Pawan Kalyan's four-day 'Sanatan dharma Tour' across kerala and tamil Nadu is a strategic move that blends both religious and political undertones. As the deputy chief minister of andhra pradesh and the leader of the Jana Sena Party, his emphasis on promoting Sanatana dharma aligns with the ideological stance of the bjp, which has been actively pushing for a cultural and religious resurgence across India. 

His visits to iconic temples such as the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple and the madurai Meenakshi temple not only showcase his devotion but also serve as a means to strengthen his political image among the Hindu voter base. This tour is particularly significant as tamil Nadu is gearing up for elections next year, and religious narratives have often been used as a tool to consolidate voter sentiments in various states. While his tour may resonate with certain sections of society, it has also sparked debates about the growing influence of religious politics in South India.

However, this move has not been well-received by many tamil and Malayalam-speaking people, who have historically resisted the blending of religion and governance. Unlike certain regions where religious rhetoric plays a decisive role in elections, kerala and tamil Nadu have traditionally leaned towards governance centered on social welfare, economic growth, and progressive policies.

Many see this as an attempt by the bjp to penetrate the Dravidian political landscape by leveraging cinema stars, as evidenced by Vijay's increasing political involvement and now Pawan Kalyan’s religious outreach. Critics argue that such attempts overlook the core concerns of the people, such as employment, education, and healthcare, in favor of religious symbolism.

The resistance to such initiatives underscores the fundamental difference in political priorities between states like andhra pradesh and Telangana, where religion-based mobilization has found some traction, and tamil Nadu and kerala, where rationalist and secular ideologies have a stronger footing.

The backlash from netizens further reflects the growing discontent with what many perceive as a "cinema gimmick" rather than genuine governance. A significant portion of the electorate in tamil Nadu and kerala has expressed frustration over politicians using religion as a distraction from real issues. The sentiment that pawan kalyan underestimates the political awareness of tamil and Malayali voters has been echoed across social media platforms, with some outright rejecting his tour as a calculated political maneuver rather than a sincere spiritual journey. As the elections in tamil Nadu draw closer, it remains to be seen whether such religious campaigns will gain traction or backfire, further alienating voters who prioritize development over religious rhetoric.
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G GOWTHAM

12/02/2025 11:49 AM