Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has paid tribute to social reformer E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, on his birth anniversary. In his message, Annamalai described Periyar as an important figure in social reform and praised his efforts against social inequalities and superstitions.
The post has attracted attention because Annamalai had previously made several critical comments about aspects of Periyar’s ideology during his political career. His latest message has therefore led some observers and social media users to discuss whether his approach towards Periyar and his legacy has changed.
The discussion has also brought an old video from December 2024 back into public attention. At that time, Annamalai was Tamil Nadu BJP president and publicly flogged himself six times outside his residence in Coimbatore. He described the act as a form of penance and protest over what he called continuing injustice in Tamil Nadu, including the handling of the Anna University sexual assault case.
Annamalai later explained that self-flagellation was connected to Tamil religious traditions and described the act as an offering to Lord Murugan. The practice, known as Sattai Adi, is associated with religious penance in parts of Tamil culture.
Periyar, meanwhile, is widely associated with rationalism, social reform and campaigns against caste-based inequality and religious superstition. His ideas continue to play an important role in Tamil Nadu’s political and social discussions, although his views on religion and other issues remain contested.
Because of these different contexts, some people have placed Annamalai’s recent tribute alongside his 2024 religious act. Critics have questioned how his praise for Periyar’s opposition to superstition fits with his earlier public religious practice. These are interpretations expressed by critics and social media users, rather than an explanation provided by Annamalai himself.
Annamalai’s political position has also changed in recent months. He resigned from the BJP in 2026 and has since been associated with the “We the Leaders” movement. He has previously said that he had disagreements with the BJP’s approach to Tamil Nadu and wanted greater focus on state-level political priorities.
His latest comments on Periyar have therefore added another chapter to the discussion surrounding his political journey. While his tribute recognizes Periyar’s role in social reform, the resurfacing of his 2024 video has prompted public debate about the different political and social positions associated with Annamalai at different stages of his career.
The episode also reflects the continuing importance of Periyar’s legacy in Tamil Nadu, where debates over social reform, rationalism, religion and political identity remain closely connected.