BJP's Tamil Nadu president, K Annamalai, took a distinctive stance on Monday as he led a protest demanding the resignation of HR and CE Minister PK Sekar Babu. The minister had recently attended an 'Anti-Sanatan Dharma Conference,' which drew criticism, especially due to DMK leader and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's controversial remarks during the event.
Annamalai, after addressing a gathering in Nungambakkam to voice his concerns about Babu's involvement, attempted to march towards the HR&CE office to further emphasize his call for the minister's removal from the cabinet. He, along with numerous supporters, suddenly sat down on the road, staging a dharna, PTI reported.
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His primary contention was Sekar Babu's participation in the anti-Sanatan Dharma conference while holding the portfolio of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE). Annamalai highlighted Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani's statement at the conference, equating Sanatan Dharma with Hinduism.
Annamalai stated, "Let Sekar Babu resign as minister... Veeramani said in the meeting Sanatan is Hinduism," and he alleged that the HR&CE department, under Sekar Babu's leadership, was not supportive of Hindu interests.
He noted that discussions about the eradication of Sanatan Dharma were relatively new in Tamil Nadu, but the criticism of the faith had a longstanding history, dating back 70 years. Annamalai emphasized that the condemnation was not limited to Hindus but extended to people of all faiths, including Christians and Muslims.
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He criticized the DMK leadership, including M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi, for their swift change in stance following nationwide condemnation. They attempted to clarify that Sanatan and Hindu faiths were distinct, a point that BJP leaders contested.
Annamalai added, "Stalin and Udhayanidhi did a U-turn in just 4 days," and he questioned why a particular faith was being targeted for political gain.
In a dig at the DMK, Annamalai brought up the issue of representation of SC/ST members in the cabinet. He compared the Union cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had around 20 members from SC/ST communities, to the state cabinet, which had only three, and argued that these three ministers held relatively minor portfolios. Annamalai also raised the question of why the DMK had not nominated a Dalit chief minister thus far.
