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BJP Questions Opposition’s Silence Over Anti-Hindu 'Sanatan Dharm' Remark

Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu State Chief Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin and a minister in the state government, sparked a controversy by comparing Sanatan Dharma (eternal law - an alternative name for Hinduism) with dengue and malaria and call for it to be eradicated.
Sputnik
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday questioned why politicians of the Opposition bloc have remained silent over the controversial remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of ally Tamil Nadu State Chief Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin.
The BJP was particularly desirous to know what Congress parliamentarian and former party chief Rahul Gandhi felt about the matter.
Addressing a media briefing, former federal minister and senior BJP politician Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that Udhayanidhi compared Sanatan Dharma with dengue and malaria and was supported in this view by Karti Chidambaram - son of former Finance Minister and leading opposition politician, Palaniappan Chidambaram who is himself facing a serious trial over corruption charges - and he added: “I want to ask a big question - why is Rahul Gandhi silent?”

“Rahul Gandhi says ‘I am a Hindu’. He talks about his gotra (heritage), visits temples and performs Puja (ritual devotion). So when we said that this is all a pretence so that he can gain votes, it is beginning to seem as though we were right. Why is [Bihar state chief and opposition politician] Nitish Kumar silent? Why is his deputy Tejashwi [Yadav] who took his father to Siddhivinayak temple quiet over this? Was it only for show?” Prasad questioned.

“The silence of prominent leaders on this matter is unfortunate and shameful. The lack of response from Rahul and [Congress president Mallikarjun] Kharge is not only baffling but shocking,” the BJP politician said and further challenged Gandhi to clarify his stance on the controversial remarks.
'Sanatan Dharm' talks of an “eternal” or absolute set of duties or religiously ordained practices which people of the Hindu faith must observe.
Accusing the newly formed opposition bloc - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) - of making statements against Hinduism and 'Sanatan Dharm', the former federal minister said that they will continue to do this for votes and their ideology is anti-Hindu.

Further upping the ante against the opposition bloc, the BJP politician said: “I want to tell the Opposition that Sanatan is eternal. Sanatan is the founding pillar of Indian culture, heritage and civilisation. Sanatan sees everyone with the same eye.”

Prasad also extended a warning to the newly formed opposition bloc as he said that their political strategies should not be based on an anti-Hindu mindset, as it could provoke the country's anger.

Stalin Attacks BJP

Amid the row over his son’s controversial remarks, Tamil Nadu State Chief Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin on Monday attacked the BJP as he launched a podcast titled 'Speaking for India'.
He said that the federally ruling party has taken “religion as their weapon” to conceal all its flaws.
In the podcast's first episode, he blamed the BJP of inciting religious sentiments of people and basking in the warmth of its fiery flames.
Accusing the BJP of sowing seeds of violence and hatred, Stalin pointed out the violence in the states of Manipur and Haryana, citing the 2002 Gujarat's communal riots.

He said: “In 2023, the sectarian fire ignited in the north-eastern state of Manipur saw the state burn. In Haryana, the fire of religious fanaticism is claiming the lives and property of innocent people.”

“If we don't put an end to this right now, no one can save India and Indians,” Stalin said in the podcast.

Udhayanidhi’s Remark Stokes Controversy on Sanatan Dharma

The series of accusation and counter-accusations came a day after the Tamil Nadu state chief's son Udhayanidhi Stalin said that Sanatana is like malaria and dengue and must be eradicated rather than just opposed.
The remarks seem to have triggered nationwide outrage as the BJP said that Udhayanidhi’s call to eradicate Hinduism was “genocidal”.
Udhayanidhi, however, reiterated his stance, saying: “I am saying again that I only criticised Sanatana Dharm and that Sanatana Dharm should be eradicated. I will continue to say this. Few are being childish saying that I called for genocide and others are saying that 'Dravidam' [people of south Asia] should be abolished. Does that mean [members of Tamil Nadu party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam] should be killed?”
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Anti-Hindu? Tamil Nadu State Chief's Son Sparks Row With Controversial Remarks
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