Stalin Goes On The Defensive, Says DMK Is Not Against Spiritualism

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin yesterday (5 October) said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was not opposed to spiritualism but was against mixing religion and politics.

Stalin said that he was compelled to make these remarks because his political rivals were painting his party as anti-religion.

He added that his party’s Dravidian model of governance was against the use of religion for selfish or political gains.

He also announced that the birth anniversary of the famous nineteenth century Tamil poet and saint, Vallalar, would be celebrated as Benevolence Day as the saint had campaigned against religious and caste-based discrimination.

He said that a committee has been set up to look into the design of an international centre at Vadalur (in Cuddalore district), where the saint had set up a community kitchen.

While a sum of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the international centre, Rs 3.25 crore has been sanctioned for ‘annadanam’ and a 52-day lecture series.