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 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. She
said that, the BJP will participate in the commemoration.
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.
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