Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S S Sivasankar has sparked controversy with his recent remarks questioning the historical existence of Lord Ram, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters.

Speaking at the birth anniversary celebrations of Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I, Sivasankar stated, "We celebrate the birthday of Rajendra Chola, an emperor of the Chola dynasty because we have archaeological evidence such as inscriptions, temples, and ponds built by him. His name is noted in sculptures. But, there is no evidence to prove the history of Ram. They call him an avatar (incarnation). An avatar can’t be born."

The comments immediately ignited a backlash on social media, with netizens accusing the Tamil Nadu Minister and the DMK government of disrespecting Hindu beliefs. Criticism was swift, with many expressing outrage over what they perceived as an attack on the religious sentiments of Hindus.