The interview is seen as a damage control measure while the BJP taunts the INDIA alliance for comments made by Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatana Dharma.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
For the first time, DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, in an interview with a Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, put a spotlight on various issues troubling the DMK in the recent past, including Sanatana Dharma, two-language policy, freebies, and the INDIA alliance.
The interview is seen as a damage-control measure while the BJP taunts the INDIA alliance for comments made by Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatana Dharma. Out of nine questions, three were based on his remarks.
Stalin also went on to share his first Hindi interview on X, stating, “Let’s foster unity and progress together across states”
Shared my thoughts with @JagranNews to expand our ideology's reach. Let's foster unity and progress together across states. pic.twitter.com/0fHiTOYmVJ
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 22, 2023
Batting for his son Udhayanidhi, who is also a minister in his Cabinet, Stalin said that the remarks on Sanatana Dharma were purposely misconstrued by the BJP and its IT Wing.
“Udhayanidhi had emphasised only that caste-based inequalities should be eradicated. But the BJP IT Wing spread it as if he called to abolish Hinduism. He never used the word ‘genocide’. The BJP, unable to answer the ₹7.5 lakh crore corruption charge, had transferred the CAG officials who had put light on these irregularities. The BJP has nothing left to showcase. Hence, the BJP is using Sanatana Dharma as a diversion tactic,” Stalin said.
When asked about his silence on the issue and Udhayanidhi’s refusal to retract his remarks on Sanatana Dharma, Stalin clarified that the DMK was never against any religion, particularly Hinduism.
He pointed out that the DMK had done consecration ceremonies for 1,000 temples and had retrieved properties worth ₹5,000 crore belonging to various temples in the state, within 894 days of coming to power.
Highlighting the appointments of women priests and hymn singers in the temples, the All Caste Priests scheme, and renovations of temples, Stalin said that his government was arranging all the facilities for the devotees. He added that the temples are being run as per the agamas and rules.
Answering a question about why his party functionaries were not heeding the request of the leaders of the INDIA alliance, including the Congress party, not to talk about Sanatana Dharma, Stalin said that a proper explanation had been given to the alliance partners and their request was considered.
“Those who try to do politics against the INDIA alliance using Sanatana Dharma will not be successful,” the Chief Minister said.
Further answering a question about “whether the DMK is against Hindi”, Stalin recalled former chief minister CN Annadurai’s speech in the Rajya Sabha in 1962 and said that his party is not against any language. “We oppose only Hindi imposition,” Stalin said.
He continued, “States like Bengal, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are also keen on protecting their mother tongue and that’s the way to protect their cultural identity.”
“Today, we are at the top in the Education Development Index and it is possible only because we refused to overburden ourselves with the third language policy. We have already surpassed the target set by the New Education Policy with the progress of our education system and, now, we are in the process of formulating a new education policy that will be for Tamil Nadu,” Stalin said.
Pointing out the reason for conflict with the North, Stalin said that Tamilians consider the philosophy of “equal rights to all living creatures” and Tamil language had been accorded the status of India’s first classical language.
“If Hindi or any other language is forcefully imposed on us, we will not tolerate it and will protest against it, always. In the same line, we want the North Indians also to protect their languages,” the chief minister said.
When asked about the freebies implemented in the state, Stalin said that he wouldn’t accept the term “freebies”. “All the schemes are formulated as social welfare schemes,” he said.
Stating that free electricity for farmers, free bus passes for students, colour televisions, gas stoves, etc, have enhanced the lives of the farmers, students, and women, the DMK leader stated that even Prime Minister Modi had announced such schemes.
Responding to the question of the prime ministerial candidate in the INDIA alliance, Stalin said that the BJP was rattled hearing the name of the alliance.
“It is not the alliance where only the party leaders are present. We have the people of this country with us. We are clear in who should not come to power rather than who should be in power,” Stalin stated.
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