A speech in favour of “eradicating Sanatan Dharma” by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's minister son Udhayanidhi Stalin at an event left him and INDIA alliance constituent DMK facing a nation wide maelstrom of protest led by BJP, which flagged the remarks as “hate speech”, “anti-Hindu” and a call to “genocide of 80% of the population”.
With DMK caught in the crosshairs of the saffron party, Udhayanidhi said that he stood by his statement interpreting Sanatan Dharma as the basis for caste discrimination but denied having called for anyone to be eliminated. The minister said he was ready to face legal challenges, daring BJP to “bring it on”. At a rally in Rajasthan's Dungarpur, home minister Amit Shah said this wasn't the first time that DMK and Congress had “insulted” the nation's culture, history and Sanatan Dharma.
BJP national president J P Nadda wanted to know whenther Stalin Junior's reflected the opposition’s poll strategy. Congress's Karti Chidambaram sprung to Udhayanidhi's defence, saying BJP had given the minister's speech a negative spin. DMK said the BJP had twisted statements made against the caste hierarchy into one against Hinduism.
Cong divided over remarks
Under relentless pressure from BJP over Udhayanidhi's comment, opposition leaders scrambled for a response, with Congress functionaries speaking in different voices and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee professing her regard for Sanatan Dharma and saying every religion should be equally respected. Most opposition parties maintained a studied silence.