After a major row erupted over Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatan Dharma, the DMK leader has now alleged that BJP leaders twisted his speech to imply as 'inciting genocide' and are using it as a ploy to divert attention from Manipur violence. An FIR was also registered against the DMK leader in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings through his remarks.
In a statement posted on 'X', formerly Twitter, the DMK minister said he would face all the cases against him legally. "It is surprising that Union Ministers like Amit Shah and chief minister of states ruled by the BJP are demanding action against me based on fake news...But I am aware that this their mode of survival," he said.
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Sanatan Dharma remarks
During a gathering of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association on Saturday, Udhayanidhi expressed his view that Sanatan stands in opposition to the principles of equality and social justice. "For the last 9 years, all your (BJP) promises are empty promises. What have you exactly done for our welfare?" is a question currently being raised in unison by the entire country against an unarmed, fascist BJP government, the minister said in his statement.
"Everyone knows we are not enemies of any religion. We respect all religions that teach, "all lives are born equal". But without an iota of understanding about any of these, Thiru Modi and Co are solely dependent on such slanders to face the Parliamentary elections," Stalin further said.
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Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised his ministers to strongly refute opposition leaders on their controversial comments on Sanatan Dharma and "expose them".
The DMK leader claimed that Modi and his ministers were using his remarks as a ploy to divert attention from other issues such as violence in Manipur and corruption. "Let us resolve to work for the victory of the ideologies of Periyar, Anna, Kalaignar and Perasiriyar. Let Social Justice flourish forever," Stalin said in his post.
MK Stalin reacts
Reacting to his son's remarks on 'Sanatan Dharma', Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said that he had expressed certain comments about the "inhuman principles" preached in it. "Pro-BJP forces, unable to tolerate his stance against oppressive principles, have spread a false narrative, alleging Udhayanidhi called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts," Stalin said in a statement.
"The Social Media mob nurtured by the BJP has widely circulated...falsehood in northern states. However, Minister Udhayanidhi never used the word 'genocide' in either Tamil or English. Still, lies were spread claiming so," Stalin added.
