The non-descript mausoleum at the corner of Rundall’s Road, opposite the police commissioner’s office in Chennai

The non-descript mausoleum at the corner of Rundall’s Road, opposite the police commissioner’s office in Chennai, does not compare as a daily draw for visitors like Rajghat does for Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi. But E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, whose remains are interred here and is eulogised as Thanthai Periyar (Respected Father), wields huge influence among Tamilians, dominating the socio-cultural-political sphere more than any other personality. The Tamil nationalist, self -respect movement started by him has touched people from all walks of life. Acolytes and supporters of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), which he founded, may not pay regular homage at his mausoleum ‘Periyar Thidal’ but they are ever ready to rise in defence of their iconoclast at the slightest provocation.

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth knows the Tamil psyche well, but he may have bit off more than he can chew with his refusal to apologise for his Periyar comments. At the golden jubilee celebrations of Thuglak magazine in Chennai on January 14, Rajini referred to the magazine’s reportage of the Superstition Eradication Conference. He recalled the references by Periyar, the alleged outrageous depictions of Hindu deities at a tableau there, and Thuglak’s critical comments, which he claimed no other publication had reported. “The magazine reported that Rama and Sita were paraded naked and garlanded with slippers at Periyar’s rally in 1971 in Salem. I have not said something that did not happen. I have not imagined it. Lakshmanan (then Jan Sangh and now BJP leader) who took part in a dharna (against the rally in 1971) has corroborated it,” Rajini emphasised later, rejecting the demand for an apology.