'Sanatana Dharma Is Like Malaria, Dengue': Tamil Nadu CM's Son Udhayanidhi Stalin

Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has triggered a controversy after comparing 'Sanatana Dharma' with Dengue and Malaria.

Addressing a gathering on Saturday, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, said, "There are some things which we have to eradicate and we can't merely oppose. Mosquitoes, dengue fever, malaria, corona, all these are things which we cannot oppose, we have to eradicate them. Sanatanam is also like this."

The minister was speaking at an event organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association on the theme of 'eradication of Sanatana'.

"I thank the organisers of this conference for giving me the opportunity to deliver a special address. You have kept the name of the conference as 'Sanatana Abolition Conference' rather than 'Anti-Sanatana Conference', I appreciate that," news agency ANI quoted Udhayanidhi as saying.

"A few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. We have to eradicate this, that's how we have to eradicate Sanatana. Rather opposing Sanatana it should be eradicated," Udhayanidhi was quoted as saying.

"The name Sanatana is from Sanskrit. It is against Social Justice and equality," he added.

The BJP has condemned his comments on 'Sanatana Dharma'. Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT Cell, shared his clip with Hindi subtitles while strongly criticising his remarks.

He targeted Rahul Gandhi and Congress over the controversial remarks made by the DMK minister. "Rahul Gandhi speaks of 'मोहब्बत की दुकान' but Congress ally DMK's scion talks about eradicating Sanatana Dharma. Congress's silence is support for this genocidal call...I.N.D.I Alliance, true to its name, if given an opportunity, will annihilate the millennia old civilisation that is Bharat," Malviya said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Responding to Malviya's tweet, Junior Stalin said that he never called for genocide of people who are following 'Sanatana Dharma'.

"Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion. Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality. I stand firmly by every word I have spoken. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma," he wrote on X.

He also claimed that he was ready to present the extensive writings of Periyar and Ambedkar, who conducted in-depth research on Sanatan Dharma and its negative impact on society in any forum.

"Let me reiterate the crucial aspect of my speech: I believe, like the spread of diseases like COVID-19, Dengue, and Malaria by mosquitoes, that Sanatan Dharma is responsible for many social evils. I am prepared to confront any challenges that come my way, whether in a court of law or the people's court. Stop spreading fake news," Stalin added.

In a follow-up tweet, Stalin stated that he was also ready to face any legal challenge. "Bring it on. I am ready to face any legal challenge. We will not be cowed down by such usual saffron threats. We, the followers of Periyar, Anna, and Kalaignar, would fight forever to uphold social justice and establish an egalitarian society under the able guidance of our Hon'ble CM
@mkstalin. I will say it today, tomorrow, and forever: Our resolve to stop Sanathana Dharma from the Dravidian land would not reduce even a bit," the DMK minister added.