CM's statement on Vivekananda Illam in TN Assembly

Responsible communication in public life is one of the many lessons we can learn from Gandhiji. Here is quote, 'I have completed reading Rolland’s books on Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. I always had reverence for Ramakrishna I had read little about him. But as I had heard several things about him from his devotees, that feeling had sprung up. I cannot say that Rolland’s books have added to it. In fact both the books of Rolland are meant for Westerners. I will not say that we can derive nothing from these books. But I for one have derived very little benefit. The things which had influenced me are also to be found in Rolland’s books. The additional matter which it contains has not added to the impression. It did not appear to me that Vivekananda was as much a devotee as Ramakrishna. Vivekananda’s love was great. He was full of feeling and used to be carried away by it. It was like the golden covering for his knowledge. The distinction which he made between religion and politics was not correct. But it is no use criticizing such a great man and once we let loose ourselves we can criticize anyone whom we wish to. Our duty lies in learning anything we can from [the lives of] such persons.' - Source: Complete Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. 56, pg. 82 (digital edition ver.1, GOI)

Such responsibility however has never appealed to Dravidian politicians given as they are to rhetoric as the only tool of political (and social and cultural) discourse. The CM in refuting the charge that he had sent emissary to the RKM asking them to vacate the place for another institution has gone on to exhibit his taste in political statement making.

He say, (my loose translation from report in Tamil, read original Tamil here), '...Vivekananda ate meat, he also smoke, he proved that as long as one had a pure heart, none of these can touch you and he propagated rationality similar to Periyar and Anna', and again towards the end of his speech, 'the head of Ramakrishna Math has said that he will challenge us in Court,..we are not afraid of challenges, monks should not get down to challenging, I request them to follow Vivekananda and Ramakrishna in this issue at least'. What is the constitution of a mind that can recollect these attributes of Vivekananda at first call. In a life lived with innumerable achievements and pronouncements and almost completely recorded by his disciples (including what he ate and smoked), there could be many attributes that could occur to any mind.

To tell the monks of RKM as to how they should follow Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa means either he thinks he knows these great souls better or he thinks he has achieved a state worthy of sermonising to monks of the order. Either way, his statement is in bad taste.

I had contrasted it with the earlier quote from Gandhiji to give an indication of how irresponsible communication by public figures has gotten in Tamilnadu.

Disclaimer: This need not be construed as my attempting any comparison between the two, that would be both blasphemous and extreme benevolence, both of which I am not capable of.