The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed a lighthearted exchange on Wednesday after DMK’s O Panneerselvam jokingly attributed a recent rise in snakebite cases in the state to ‘Nagadosham’, or a serpent curse.
Health minister K G Arunraj dismissed the astrological explanation, saying the state follows science and is dealing with common cold cases rather than any alleged serpent curse, news agency PTI reported. Panneerselvam, who has also served as the state’s chief minister, raised the issue while speaking about a series of snakebite incidents reported from several constituencies. Arunraj rejected the suggestion, saying there was no question of using the health budget for rituals to appease snakes. He stressed that the administration depended on medical science rather than planetary alignments.
He suggested that many areas could be facing “Nagadhosham” because of displeased serpents and jokingly asked the health minister to arrange state-sponsored temple rituals to remove the supposed curse. “The only widespread ailment we are currently tracking is the common cold – Jaladosham and not Nagadosham,” the minister said.
Public works and sports minister Aadhav Arjuna also joined the discussion. He pointed to Tamil Nadu’s long-standing association with the ideals of rationalist leader Periyar, saying the government addresses issues through rationalism rather than incantations.
Many regions were likely suffering from “Nagadhosham” brought on by displeased serpents, hesaid and went on to urge the health minister to organise state-sponsored temple rituals to ward off the celestial curse. Earlier reporting noted: Arunraj, who was quick to respond, firmly declined to hold rituals to appease snakes in the health budget, and said the administration relied on medical science, not planetary alignments.
Earlier reporting noted: Health Minister K G Arunraj brushed off the astrological theory, maintaining that the state relies on science and is currently tackling common colds and not snake curses. Earlier reporting noted: The hilarious discussion began when Panneerselvam, also a Chief Minister took the floor to highlight a recent string of snakebite incidents across several constituencies.
