Context: 

Thiruvalluvar Day was celebrated on January 16.

Saffron vs. White Robes Stirs Political Debate in Tamil Nadu

• The controversy surrounding Thiruvalluvar’s representation arose due to a post shared by the Tamil Nadu Governor on social media. 
  • In the post, he shared an image of Thiruvalluvar in saffron-colored clothes, describing him as “the revered poet, great philosopher, and brightest saint of Bharatiya Sanatan tradition.”
• The controversy escalated when the ruling DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) alleged attempts at “saffronisation” by the governor’s office. 

About Thiruvalluvar

• Thiruvalluvar commonly known as Valluvar was an Indian poet and philosopher.
• Thiruvalluvar stands tall as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.
• He is the author of the Tirukkuṟaḷ which is a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economic matters, and love.
  • Tirukkural is an all-inclusive ethical that focuses on the avoidance of killing and the avoidance of falsehood.
  • Its 133 sections of 10 couplets each are divided into three books: aram (virtue), porul (government and society), and kama (love).

Associated Places: Tiruvalluvar

• Tiruvalluvar temple: Tiruvalluvar temple was constructed in the early 16th century at Mylapore, Chennai which is a part of the Ekambareswarar temple complex. 
• Temple memorial: One of Asia’s largest auditoriums is located in Valluvar Kotam, a temple memorial constructed in Chennai in 1976.
• Statue: Kanyakumari also has a 133-foot-tall statue of Thiruvalluvar.

News Source: The Hindu