DMK Minister Udayanidhi Stalin’s remarks that ‘Sanatan Dharma’ had to be eradicated has snowballed into a major controversy with BJP training its guns on the INDIA bloc, of which DMK is a part of, stating a complete eradication of Hindu dharma is the primary agenda of the Opposition coalition.
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said on Saturday that the remarks have exposed the real character of the INDIA bloc. “This is not a statement given in isolation. It has a complete consequential sequence,” Trivedi said.
“The DMK leader’s remarks within 48 hours after the ‘Ghamandia’ alliance’s meeting in Mumbai has exposed the real character of the ‘dukandaar of mohabbat ki dukaan (owner of the shop of love),” Trivedi said, in an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition bloc. “It is clear that a complete eradication of Hindu dharma, Sanatan Dharma, is their primary agenda.”
Describing the DMK leader’s remarks as “hate speech”, the BJP also urged the Supreme Court to take action against him under the law.
Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman also attacked Udhayanidhi Stalin over the issue. “Sworn by the Constitution of India, Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin calls for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma, like mosquitoes. On the dais, listening without protest is Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments PK Sekar Babu. President of Tamil Nadu Congress says the purpose of the alliance is to destroy Sanatana Dharma,” Sitharaman said in a post on X. “I.N.D.I.A against Hindus!,” she charged.
Union minister Anurag Thakur hit out at the INDIA coalition, saying a mere name change of the opposition alliance cannot hide the hatred it harbours against ‘Bharat’ and its rich culture.
“A name change from UPA to GHAMANDIA can’t hide the truth that this unholy alliance of corrupt people has not stopped hating Bharat, its rich culture and syncretic Sanatan Dharma which has been connecting the nation since ages,” the information and broadcasting minister said on X.
However, Udayanidhi continued to defend his remarks. Accusing the BJP of ‘twisting’ his statement and spreading fake news, Udayanidhi said he was ready to face whatever cases were filed against him. “I am ready to face whatever cases they file against me. BJP is scared of the INDIA Alliance and to divert that they are saying all this. DMK’s policy is One clan, one God,” Udhayanidhi, son of Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin, told reporters.
