Fans of music maestro Ilayaraja got upset after seeing the notice of central government in which the Tamil musician was mentioned as “Dalit”. On Wednesday, the government nominated celebrated athlete PT Usha, iconic composer Ilayaraja, Philanthropist Veerendra Heggade and screenwriter-director V. Vijayendra Prasad to the Rajya Sabha. It is notable that all the four personalities are from southern states.

“Rajya Sabha nominations show yet another instance of Modi Government recognizing outstanding Indians who have made a mark in diverse fields. The four nominated members have had illustrious careers in their respective fields and received national and global recognition for their contributions” read a notice of the government.

“The four nominated representatives represent various South Indian states and expand the region’s representation in the Rajya Sabha. Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas: The Modi government has consistently ensured adequate representation for various under-represented groups. The four nominated members include a woman, a Dalit, and a member
of a religious minority (Jain community)” the note further read.

“These four nominees have given back to society at every possible instance- if one of them has groomed athletes, the other has mentored creative geniuses and another of them has nurtured cinematic talent and one of them has done community service. The list includes two Padma Vibhushan recipients and a Padma Shri recipient” the notice added.

BJP’s Rajya Sabha nominated members. pic.twitter.com/ETqwDiJ2RF

— Sanket Upadhyay (@sanket) July 6, 2022

The term “Dalit” used to mention a musician who has been making people happy through his work for the past forty years, didn’t go well with the online users. “One of the greatest musician, Maestro Ilaiyaraja, whose music has no boundaries across the globe, just being reduced as a Dalit, is so so deplorable” an online user wrote whereas another one said “Dear Modi/BJP/RSS, as you all look at Ilayaraja as only a “Dalit” we all see him as a Maestro. In your self congratulating letter for selecting him to Rajya Sabha, you have put him in just a Dalit box instead of talking about his musical genius”

One of the greatest musician, Maestro Ilaiyaraja, whose music has no boundaries across the globe, just being reduced as a Dalit, is so so deplorable. #IlayarajaMP #Ilayaraja #Maestro #RajyaSabhaElections2022 https://t.co/5DbaGyHtp2

— Kandan ⚡athuvan (@skanda_sattvan) July 7, 2022

Yes he overcame Brahminism and discrimination to establish his supremacy in music, a field that was dominated and cornered by the Brahmin community, or in your RSS language the “pure and worthy” Hindus. 2/3

— Chandra Mohan (@maverickcrew) July 7, 2022

I don’t want #Ilayaraja to be remembered as a Dalit Rajya Sabha MP. That’s the tweet

— Diwakar 💉😷 (@diwaughkar) July 7, 2022

This letter seems to be so cranky & doesn’t seems to honour those “outstanding Indians”,as it includes discrimination of
💥Gender – woman
💥Caste -Dalit
💥Religion – Jain community
Wish those whoever wrote this letter read Article 14 of Indian constitutional laws.#Ilayaraja pic.twitter.com/YKU7IuAik3

— HBD Deepak💙🥳/Nancy ⛱️ (@NancyDaffodils) July 7, 2022

How great artist a person belonging to SC become for Savarnas his credentials will always be Dalit.

Casteist OCs reducing the greatest music legend Ilayaraja to his Dalit Identity. https://t.co/8PBfVF9MjC

— 🖤 Kaala Seth 🖤 (@4m_raj) July 7, 2022

First time, seeing him referred to as a Dalit.

Why drag a caste everytime?

He is a great musician.
PM also never talked about him bieng a dalit.

Learn from your leader.

— Mahesh Joshi (@MaheshJ95622388) July 6, 2022

This is the unwritten rule that as long as it is in the scheduled caste category the scheduled caste is called dalit whether it is social liberation national party and Dravidian party.

— A.SRIDHAR (@ASRIDHAR_DEV) July 7, 2022

Both discrimination and recognition based on caste, creed, religion or place of birth is unconstitutional. Isn’t it? Then how does this government allowed to overlook rules?

— Archana (@Archu70) July 6, 2022

Once the greatest Musician ever produced in #India has become jus a #Dalit 🙄#Ilayaraaja

— jaibheem ✊ (@bornTelanganite) July 6, 2022

I mean…

When @sachin_rt and @GautamGambhir became MP, they were cricketers…@ilaiyaraaja is a Dalit, when he become MP…

That’s right Mr.@narendramodi…?

— ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕒ℍ𝕒𝕤𝕒𝕟 𝕊𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕚 (@chandrahasan78) July 6, 2022

Music mastero to Dalit.

It hurts. #ilayaraja https://t.co/aZ77oYI8uI

— Subramani Muthukumar (@tweetsubu22) July 6, 2022