Move seen as attempt to ascribe Hindu identity to Tamil king

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided to commemorate the 1000th year of the coronation of King Rajendra I of the Chola dynasty. Son of the great Rajaraja Chola I, King Rajendra (reign 1012-1044 CE) is credited with expanding the Chola empire across the seas to South-East Asia and to the North up to the Ganges, earning him the sobriquet ‘Gangai Kondan.’ He became the Chola emperor in 1014 CE after serving as a co-regent with his father for two years. RSS sarkaryavah Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi told reporters in Lucknow on Monday that remembering such a glorious reign on its millennial anniversary would be an inspiration to the people. Rajendra is also credited with establishing a university for Vedic studies at Ennayiram in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan said it was a matter of pride that a king who helped spread Tamil culture and trade was being recognised by all.

The BJP will participate in the commemoration, she said.

Dalit leader and writer, D. Ravikumar, said the Dravidian movement had fostered a strong Tamil identity for the Cholas independent of the Hindu identity that some historians ascribe to the dynasty. The move by the RSS to commemorate Rajendra’s ascension could be an attempt to revive the latter, he said.