Chennai: DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin offered a light-hearted response on Friday to Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan’s revival of his previous comments comparing ‘sanatan dharm’ to malaria and dengue. “Let’s wait and see… let’s wait and see,” said the Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister.
On Thursday, Kalyan, also the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, issued a bold challenge to “a Tamil Nadu leader who refers to ‘sanatan dharm’ as a virus that needs to be eradicated.” He made these comments at the Tirupati temple amidst a political controversy regarding claims that animal fat was used in the ghee for the laddoos served to the deity and devotees.
Kalyan, dressed in saffron and proclaiming himself an “unapologetic ‘sanatani’ Hindu,” asserted, “Don’t say ‘sanatan dharm’ is like a virus that can be destroyed. Whoever said this, let me inform you… you cannot eliminate ‘sanatan dharm’. If anyone attempts to do so, then you will face consequences.” Although he did not name Udhayanidhi Stalin directly, his statement was clearly aimed at him, further emphasized by his use of Tamil during part of his speech.
In response, the DMK quickly countered. Party spokesperson Dr. Syed Hafeezullah noted that DMK does not engage in discussions about any religion, including Hinduism, but will persist in opposing caste-based discrimination, untouchability, and caste hierarchies. “It is individuals from the BJP, TDP, and Pawan Kalyan who exploit religion and Hindu deities for political advantage. They are the true adversaries… Kalyan’s remarks are merely an attempt to distract from the millions suffering due to their policies,” he stated.
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comments about ‘sanatan dharm’ ignited a heated political debate, especially as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach and the BJP is making concerted efforts to attract voters in Tamil Nadu, a state where it has historically struggled. The controversy over the ‘sanatan dharm virus’ even prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak out, criticizing the Congress party—an ally of the DMK—for associating with those attacking ‘sanatan dharm’.
Stalin initially made his controversial remarks at a public event in Chennai, arguing that ‘sanatan dharm’ is not merely something to oppose, but rather a mindset that needs to be eradicated due to its regressive nature, which divides individuals based on caste and gender, countering principles of equality and social justice.
The backlash was immediate, but the following day, Stalin reiterated his position. “I will continue to restate this,” he declared, clarifying that his criticism was directed at caste-based disparities in Indian society as a whole, not exclusively Hinduism. “I condemned caste differences across all religions, that is my focus,” he explained.
