Udhayanidhi Stalin, the leader of the DMK youth wing and Tamil Nadu's sports minister, has not wavered in his stance despite facing significant criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party for his recent comments regarding the elimination of "sanatan dharma." On Sunday, September 10, he emphasized the importance of confronting superstitions and persisting in the pursuit of social justice.
“I still stand by my comments on Sanatana Dharma. BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have twisted my speech and also spread rumours and hatred only to derive political mileage. We have a need to challenge superstitions, blind beliefs and remain committed to social justice. Like the change we saw in Tamil Nadu 2021, we have to see a change of power in Delhi in 2024," as reported by The New Indian Express
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Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also addressed the gathering, albeit through a video conference. He conveyed to party members that there is a challenging road ahead as the 2024 general elections draw nearer, emphasizing the need for hard work and dedication.
“For the well-being of the nation, all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the lone constituency in Puducherry should be won by the DMK and its allies. Only a huge victory in all 40 seats will help the DMK play a significant role in the new dispensation at the Centre following the parliamentary polls. Party workers should unite and strive for a resounding victory, echoing the slogan ‘Naarpathum Namathe, Nadum Namathe’ (All 40 seats are ours, and the country too)," reported by The New Indian Express.
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On September 2, during his address at a conference titled 'Sanatana Ozhippu Maanaadu' (Sanatana Abolition Conclave) organized by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association to critically examine the concept of sanatana dharma, Udhayanidhi stated that he commend the organizers for naming the conference as 'eradication of sanatana dharma' rather than 'opposition to sanatana dharma'.
Udhayanidhi's statement sparked a strong reaction from the BJP's members, including Amit Malviya, the head of its IT cell, who characterized Udhayanidhi's comments as a "call for the eradication" of sanatanis, whom he asserted make up "80% of the population of Bharat."
In response to the controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that ministers should provide a suitable response to the Tamil Nadu minister's remarks.
