While congratulatory messages kept pouring in for music maestro Ilaiyaraaja for getting the Padma Vibhushan, a rather thoughtless headline on The New Indian Express irked many music lovers.
#Ilaiyaraja is a national treasure. God’s have no caste. Music knows no walls. pic.twitter.com/9c2xFxDxXt
— kasturi shankar (@KasthuriShankar) January 26, 2018
Actors like Kasturi Shankar, writer-director Venkat Prabhu pointed out the insensitive nature of the headline.
Sorry @IndianExpress for the wrong tagging!!! “The new” in their paper is so small as their mind!! Missed it!! @NewIndianXpress this aint journalism!! pic.twitter.com/JIDfr2QLHK
— venkat prabhu (@vp_offl) January 26, 2018
Some even asked why are they looking at things through a ‘lens of discrimination.’
If the awardee is
Dalit – Dalit Outreach
Brahmin – Brahmin Outreach
General – Hindu/Regional Outreach
Minority – Minority OutreachA D V E R T I S E M E N TEverything from the lenses of discrimination ? !
Music has no boundaries – Proved by Ilayaraja
Hatred has no boundaries – Proved by Presstitudes pic.twitter.com/uhVkiCssLi
— maniangopi (@maniangopi) January 26, 2018
Writer and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader D Ravikumar questioned the credibility of the headline in the current context of the nation. He said, “While the oppositions against the caste reservation system for merits are still going on and now an honourable person is being insulted by his caste.” He added whether was it the right choice to narrow down a man of such greatness to such caste referencing.
இசைஞானி இளையராஜாவுக்கு பத்மவிபூஷண் விருது அறிவிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதை Dalit Outreach எனத் தலைப்பிட்டு செய்தி வெளியிட்டிருக்கிறது இந்தியன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளேடு.திறமை, திறமை எனக் கூப்பாடு போடுவதும், திறமையாளர்களை சாதிய அடையாளத்தில் சுருக்கிக் கொச்சைப்படுத்துவதும் சாதிய வக்கிர புத்தி!
— Ravikumar (@WriterRavikumar) January 26, 2018
Carnatic musician Sanjay Subrahmanyan criticised the newspaper for bringing up caste:
Ridiculous that the award to Ilaiyaraaja can even be associated with any caste implication. Clearly the people writing about this haven’t heard his music!
— Sanjay Subrahmanyan (@sanjaysub) January 26, 2018
Others mentioned this act as rather offensive and discourteous:
Shame on you @NewIndianXpress Now one can understand the amount of venom you carry against dalits & minorities. But its no surprise, you will continue to spew such venom, as long as @sgurumurthy continues to guide you. #Ilayaraja_Insulted pic.twitter.com/Db39cEy6KT
— Savukku_Shankar (@savukku) January 26, 2018
Ilayaraja given Padma Vibhushan to appease Dalits?What warped thinking!!! Honouring one of the Gods of music is a matter of pride for every Indian. Appalling headline @NewIndianXpress #Ilayaraja
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) January 26, 2018
This is just so sad!! #Ilayaraja sir has done much more to recieve this Honor. https://t.co/UCfjIkQkW6
— Editor PraveenKl (@Cinemainmygenes) January 26, 2018
Meanwhile, the newspaper has issued an apology expressing that the headline has conveyed “wrong message”.
.@NewIndianXpress apologises for its Ilayaraja Headline. Good gesture. Issue rests. pic.twitter.com/Fl5VDVfH0a
— Savukku_Shankar (@savukku) January 27, 2018
