Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, to a mix of celebration and controversy. His visit included two key events: the inauguration of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) new district office in Peelamedu and participation in the Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Centre alongside Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Landing at Coimbatore airport on the evening of February 25 under a tight security with 7,000 police personnel being deployed across city, Shah was warmly welcomed by BJP state president K. Annamalai and other senior party leaders with traditional honors, while cadres lined the streets to greet him.
However, the visit was not without tension. Hours before his arrival, various political and Tamil organisations, including the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) led by president Selvaperunthagai, staged black flag protests across the city. Demonstrators, gathered at locations like Gandhi Park Roundabout and Peelamedu, criticised Shah and the Central Government for policies perceived as imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu, withholding education funds, and introducing a controversial three-language policy. Pro-Tamil groups also condemned Shah over remarks he allegedly made about B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament, accusing him of disrespecting Tamil sentiments. Meanwhile, BJP supporters faced their own clash with authorities when police removed unauthorised banners welcoming Shah, prompting a brief road blockade in Peelamedu.
At the BJP office inauguration on February 26, Shah addressed the gathering, simultaneously e-inaugurating district offices in Tiruvannamalai and Ramanathapuram. He used the platform to criticise the Tamil Nadu Government amid an ongoing language policy dispute, reinforcing the BJP’s stance in the State. Today, he is scheduled to join thousands of devotees at the Isha Yoga Centre for the Mahashivratri festivities, which will begin at 6 p.m.
The dual nature of Shah’s visit - marked by political outreach and spiritual observance -underscored both the BJP’s growing presence in Tamil Nadu and the deep regional tensions.
Pic credit: PTI