08 September,2023 08:54 AM IST | Chennai | Agencies
MK Stalin, CM, TN
Amid a raging row across the country over his cabinet colleague Udhayanidhi Stalin's alleged anti-Sanatan Dharma remarks, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said his son had expressed certain comments about the "inhuman principles" preached in it and accused the BJP of being âdesperate' to create division in the mega opposition bloc, the I.N.D.I.A alliance.
Pro-BJP forces, unable to tolerate Udhayanidhi's stance against oppressive principles, have spread a false narrative, alleging he called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts, Stalin said in a statement and wondered why Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also join those targeting the TN minister.
Udhayanidhi spoke out against oppressive ideologies and called to eradicate the practices based on those ideologies. "Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed certain comments about inhuman principles preached by Sanatan. He expressed his views on Sanatan principles that discriminate against Scheduled Castes, tribals and women, with no intention to offend any religion or religious beliefs," he said.
"The Social Media mob nurtured by the BJP has widely circulated...falsehood in northern states. However, Minister Udhayanidhi never used the word âgenocide' in either Tamil or English. Still, lies were spread claiming so," Stalin added.
ALSO READ
Maharashtra Assembly polls: MVA must revert by Sept 9 on alliance, says AIMIM
Online fraud victim found dead in Nagpur hotel; Maharashtra cops suspect suicide
Centre discharges Puja Khedkar from IAS with immediate effect
Ganeshotsav 2024: Kolkata sweet shop creates 500-kg ladoo for Bappa
Brij Bhushan Singh claims Congress used Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia as 'pawns'
"The I.N.D.I.A alliance, formed by parties opposed to the BJP, seems to have rattled the Prime Minister. He is proposing âOne Nation One Election' out of fear. It is evident that the BJP is not genuinely concerned about the discriminatory practices in Sanatan but rather desperate to create divisions within the opposition alliance. It doesn't take a political genius to recognise this as a political gimmick," he added.
The Congress on Thursday said it did not agree with the remarks of DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja on Sanatan Dharma. The opposition party also asserted that every single member of the I.N.D.I.A alliance has immense respect for all faiths, communities and beliefs. DMK leader A Raja reportedly said Sanatan Dharma should be compared to diseases such as AIDS and leprosy that have a social stigma attached to them.
Also read: PM Modi presents 12-point proposals to expand India-ASEAN cooperation
Asked about comments by leaders of ally DMK, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "The Congress has always believed in âsarvadharma samabhav' wherein every religion, every faith has its space. No one can treat any particular faith as less than another faith." "Neither the Constitution allows this nor the Indian National Congress believes in any of these comments," Khera said during a press conference at the AICC headquarters.
The BJP on Thursday described Raja's remarks against Sanatan Dharma as "outrageous and vitriolic" and slammed opposition parties, saying Raja's comments reflect the INDIA bloc's "mental bankruptcy" and "deep-rooted Hinduphobia".
"Changing name does not conceal one's intent and character," Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dharmendra Pradhan wrote on X. Pradhan said, "Outrageous and vitriolic comments about Sanatan Dharma, this time by ... A Raja, reflect the mental bankruptcy and deep-rooted Hinduphobia that engulfs the I.N.D.I.A bloc."
Stoutly defending Sanatan Dharma, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai on Thursday dubbed the ruling DMK a casteist party that must be decimated. "If something needs eradication from Tamil Nadu, it is the DMK. D - Dengue, M - Malaria K - Kosu (mosquito). Going forward, we are sure that people will associate these deadly diseases with DMK," he said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever