Tamil composer Ilayaraja who was recently conferred with the Padma Vibushan, the country's highest civilian award finds himself mired in a controversy only days later. Reportedly, the isaignani was at a visit to the Google headquarters in the US and in his speech allegedly said,
“No saint in the world lived like the great saint Ramana Maharishi. They say Jesus resurrected and rose again from the dead. But there’s no proof to it. Ramana Maharishi is the only Mahan who has resurrected in life and that too at the age of 16,”
Unsurprisingly, a furore has been created in the composer's homeland and earlier today a Christian group by the name Kiristava Nallinakka Iyakkam filed a complaint with the Chennai Police Commissioner for hurting the Christian sentiments. Another Christian group, Sirupaanmai Makkal Nala Katchi (SMNK) held a protest outside the legendary music director's Chennai residence and demanded his arrest.
Ironically, Ilayaraja is a born Christian, who later identified strongly with the Hindu culture.