T. R. Baalu

Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, better known as T. R. Baalu, is an Indian politician. Baalu did his B.Sc. from New College, Chennai in Madras University and diploma in drafting engineering drawings from Central polytechnic Chennai. He is currently the MP of Lok Sabha of the Sriperumbudur constituency, elected five times since 1996 from Chennai South and Sriperumbudur. He currently serves as the Treasurer of DMK.

Disputed

 * 3 teerths in Rameshwaram temple were shifted from their original place without even hearing public opinion. Did it hurt religious sentiments? I demolished 100 year old temples of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati on GST road in my constituency (Sriperumbudur). Many told me that I will not get votes because of this. I know that myself. But I know very well how to buy and garner votes. I also detonated rivers Ganga, Cauvery and Kollidam (a tributary of Cauvery on whose banks Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy temple is located) and built bridges. God didn’t do anything to me. If people really believe that Ram Setu is real shouldn’t there be a revolution against the project now?
 * Variant: I went to them and told them directly that in my hometown, in my constituency, I had to demolish a Saraswati temple, a Lakshmi temple and a Parvati temple. I knew that the votes wouldn’t come. But I also knew how to get them. So when the comrades said that I wouldn’t get votes, I told them there was no other way and, since all they wanted was a temple, I’d construct a better, more beautiful temple with a place for at least 250 people to eat. After demolishing the structures, I built new ones.
 * in January 2023. BJP leaders tweet clipped video, share T R Baalu’s remarks on ‘demolishing temples’ sans context, “I razed 100 year old temples”, DMK MP proudly claims in event supporting Sethusamudram project
 * This quote has been disputed, see BJP leaders tweet clipped video, share T R Baalu’s remarks on ‘demolishing temples’ sans context It is claimed the quote is taken out of context.

Quotes about T. R. Baalu

 * DMK men take pride in demolishing 100-year-old Hindu temples.   The very reason we want the HR&CE dissolved and want the temple freed from the clutches of government.
 * — K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) January 29, 2023