Breaking silence on the alleged caste discrimination at the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, music composer Ilaiyaraaja dismissed all news reports that claimed he was discriminated against, as rumours.

To the unversed, a video of Ilaiyaraaja and Chinna Jeeyar flooded social media with news media claiming Ilaiyaraaja was not permitted inside the Temple's sanctum sanctorum. The pontiff and the music composer were at the temple for celebrations marking the first day of the Tamil month Margazhi. The video soon fetched harsh reactions from the public.

Clarifying about the incident, Ilaiyaraaja said, "Some are spreading rumours about me." He added that nowhere has he ever compromised on his self-respect. He urged his fans and the public not to believe in "something that has not happened" to be true.

Earlier, the Hindu Religious and Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu government also issued a statement in this regard, saying that the temple's tradition restricts everyone except the priests, parishakars and abbots near Arthamandapam, thereby rejecting the caste discrimination colour given to the incident.