Sellur K Raju, the minister for co-operation, went after the actor's family and said, the remarriage of Rajinikanth's daughter, Soundarya, would not have been possible if it were not for Periyar.
The minister asked reporters, " Would they have accepted this in old days on the basis of religion? It was Periyar who changed things."
EV Ramasamy or Periyar (1879-1973), a rationalist and social activist, is known for his self-respect movement, and is looked upon with high esteem by the Dravidian parties that continue to dominate Tamil Nadu politics.
Hence, it was not astonishing to see them get agitated on Rajinikath's remarks made at an event in the early 70s organised by Thuglak magazine which unveiled idols of Ram and Sita at rally held by Periyar. He said the idols were garlanded with chappals and that the late Cho Ramasamy, longtime editor of Thuglak, had criticised the rally.
Sellur Raju, a member of the BJP ally All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) said it was not "right" for Rajinikanth to bring up an old incident. A smaller outfit, Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK), has twice approached the Madras High Court to get a police case filed against the actor-politician.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who has described Rajinikanth as "illiterate" and once accused him of financial irregularities said this week he would back the Kollywood superstar in the courts "if he wants."