Tamil Nadu
Unfair For PM To Have Spoken About Udhayanidhi Without Understanding What He Said: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin
MK Stalin and Narendra Modi
Chief Minister MK Stalin today (7 September) released a statement saying that it was unfair on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have spoken about his son Udhayanidhi Stalin without understanding what he had spoken about.
Udhayanidhi had called for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma by equating it with diseases like malaria and dengue.
Chief Minister Stalin had said, "Minister Udhayanidhi expressed his views on oppressive Sanatan principles that discriminate against Scheduled Castes, Tribals, and Women, with no intention to offend any religion or religious beliefs.
"Some individuals still denigrate women on spiritual platforms, arguing that women should not work, widowed women should not remarry, and there are no rituals or officiating chants for remarriage.
"Pro-BJP forces have spread a false narrative alleging that 'Udhayanidhi called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts. Union Ministers and BJP Chief Ministers shared the same lie and condemned Udhayanidhi.
"A self-proclaimed seer from Uttar Pradesh burnt Minister Udhayanidhi's photo and even offered a bounty on his head.
"The Prime Minister mentioned that Udhayanidhi's remarks need a proper response during a meeting of his council of ministers, according to national media.
"Just a few weeks ago, the Hon'ble Prime Minister spoke in Parliament without knowing the truth about a purported video clip of Tamil Nadu Minister E.V. Velu.
"Neither the Prime Minister nor his Ministers have spoken on issues like Manipur or the 7.50 lakh crore rupees worth irregularities highlighted in the CAG report. But they convened the cabinet on Sanatan.
"Mr. Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Babasaheb Ambedkar, yesterday wrote, 'Sanatan Dharma believes in untouchability. How can we accept Sanatan Dharma?' Does the PM have an answer?
"The BJP is desperate to create divisions within the opposition alliance #INDIA. Leaders with extensive experience and an unwavering commitment to the country will avoid engaging in BJP's divisive politics for political gain.
"As far as the DMK is concerned, our ideals and goals are transparent and clear. We respect every individual's feelings and strive to make them self-respecting citizens.
"We have promoted our ideology through enlightenment, eschewing violent means to achieve our goals.
"If the BJP believes they can tarnish the reputation of a longstanding party like the DMK, they will find themselves sinking in that quicksand."
Since the beginning of the controversy, the DMK has been trying to portray Sanatana Dharma as different from Hinduism. It has said that Udhayanidhi's remarks were not against Hinduism.
However, Tamil Nadu BJP state president has questioned the party's stance by sharing a video of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) leader K Veeramani saying that Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma were the same during the same conference, in which he had spoken before Udhayanidhi.
