NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has triggered a huge row with his remarks against Sanatan Dharma, on Monday once again justified his call for eliminating Sanatana.
The DMK minister, who is also the son of chief minister M K Stalin, was responding to governor R N Ravi’s comments regarding social discrimination in the state.
At an event in Thanjavur on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu governor had said there exists social discrimination in the society which was unacceptable. The governor singled out Tamil Nadu.
“We have untouchability, social discrimination. A large section of brothers and sisters are not treated equal. It is painful, it is unacceptable. It is not what the Hindu Dharma says. Hindu Dharma talks about equality,” the governor said.
“Unfortunately in Tamil Nadu, in our state this social discrimination is still a national problem. Every day I read in the newspaper, I get the report, I hear the story of our brothers and sisters from scheduled caste are not being allowed access to the temples. This is strange and I am surprised and shocked. Nowhere in India, no where in Bharat our young people have caste bands (on their wrist),” he added.
When asked about the governor’s remarks, Udhayanidhi Stalin told news agency ANI, “We are also saying what he (Governor) is saying. That’s why we are saying we have to eliminate Sanatan. We are also speaking about caste discrimination and we are saying by birth all are equal. Wherever caste discrimination is there it is wrong. We are raising our voice against that.”
The remarks made by the DMK leaders against the Sanatan Dharma has led to a huge row with even several allies of the party distancing themselves from the statements.
The DMK which is an important constituent of the opposition bloc INDIA has put several parties including the Congress in a Catch 22 situation.
The BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, has been unsparing in its attack on the opposition parties over the issue. It has accused the Congress of being hand in gloves with the DMK to attack the Hindus. The saffron party has already made it a poll issue in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where assembly elections are due later this year.
Union minister of law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal cautioned the leaders on making such statements. Disrespecting a religion is like disrespecting the Constitution, he said and added “any person holding a constitutional position should respect all religions.”
With Lok Sabha elections due next year, the Sanatan Dharma issue will continue to find resonance in political discourse.
(With inputs from agencies)
The DMK minister, who is also the son of chief minister M K Stalin, was responding to governor R N Ravi’s comments regarding social discrimination in the state.
At an event in Thanjavur on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu governor had said there exists social discrimination in the society which was unacceptable. The governor singled out Tamil Nadu.
“We have untouchability, social discrimination. A large section of brothers and sisters are not treated equal. It is painful, it is unacceptable. It is not what the Hindu Dharma says. Hindu Dharma talks about equality,” the governor said.
“Unfortunately in Tamil Nadu, in our state this social discrimination is still a national problem. Every day I read in the newspaper, I get the report, I hear the story of our brothers and sisters from scheduled caste are not being allowed access to the temples. This is strange and I am surprised and shocked. Nowhere in India, no where in Bharat our young people have caste bands (on their wrist),” he added.
When asked about the governor’s remarks, Udhayanidhi Stalin told news agency ANI, “We are also saying what he (Governor) is saying. That’s why we are saying we have to eliminate Sanatan. We are also speaking about caste discrimination and we are saying by birth all are equal. Wherever caste discrimination is there it is wrong. We are raising our voice against that.”
The remarks made by the DMK leaders against the Sanatan Dharma has led to a huge row with even several allies of the party distancing themselves from the statements.
The DMK which is an important constituent of the opposition bloc INDIA has put several parties including the Congress in a Catch 22 situation.
The BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, has been unsparing in its attack on the opposition parties over the issue. It has accused the Congress of being hand in gloves with the DMK to attack the Hindus. The saffron party has already made it a poll issue in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where assembly elections are due later this year.
Union minister of law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal cautioned the leaders on making such statements. Disrespecting a religion is like disrespecting the Constitution, he said and added “any person holding a constitutional position should respect all religions.”
With Lok Sabha elections due next year, the Sanatan Dharma issue will continue to find resonance in political discourse.
(With inputs from agencies)