35 members of the Sirupanmai Makkal Nala Katchi were detained by Pondy Bazaar Police for attempting to stage a protest outside the house of legendary musician Ilaiyaraaja for his comments on Jesus Christ.
Music Maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s comments during his recent visit to Google headquarters at Silicon Valley in the USA has sparked controversy. While speaking to the staff there, he disputed Jesus Christ’s resurrection and asserted that true resurrection only happened to one person, Ramana Maharishi. He said, “I regularly watch documentaries on Youtube. It is said that Jesus was not resurrected. True resurrection has happened to only one person, Bhagvan Ramana Maharishi at the age of 16.”
The members of the Sirupanmai Makkal Nala Katchi have alleged that the purpose of Maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s words was to offend Christian belief and hurt Christian sentiments. The protestors were stopped on North Usman Road and arrested. The police said, “They did not take permission for the protests. Besides, they did not organise the demonstration in places that have been allotted. Instead, they chose a commercial location.”