In a recent event, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin blamed Sanatana Dharma for promoting division and discrimination among people.
Published Sep 23, 2023 | 4:32 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 23, 2023 | 4:32 PM
Kamal Haasan backs Udhayanidhi Stalin. (X)
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan recently said that DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is being “hounded” for his remarks on Sanatana Dharma.
Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, addressing a party meeting in Coimbatore on Friday, 22 September, without naming Udhayanidhi, the BJP, or any other outfit, said that a “young child” is being targeted today as he had spoken about Sanatana Dharma.
Haasan said that there is nothing new about the minister’s remark on Sanatana Dharma and implied that several leaders of the Dravidian movement, such as Udhayanidhi’s grandfather and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, have also spoken about it in the past.
In a recent event, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin blamed Sanatana Dharma for promoting division and discrimination among people and said that it should be eradicated.
Speaking at a conference on “Abolition of Sanatana” in Chennai on 2 September, organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers’ and Artists’ Association, Udhayanidhi said, “Few things cannot be opposed, they should be abolished.”
He added, “We can’t oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or Corona. We have to eradicate them. In the same way, we have to eradicate Sanatana, rather than oppose it.”
He also said that the word “Sanatanam” was derived from Sanskrit, that it was against equality and social justice, and that it had been a hindrance to society.
Udhayanidhi’s comments sparked a backlash from political parties, with the BJP seeking an apology from the minister for his comments and submitting a protest letter to the state’s resident commissioner in New Delhi.
Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje demanded that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin immediately sack Udhayanidhi over his comments.
Even he was backed by a few leaders, notably Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge, and cases were registered against the two.
Haasan said that the extent of reformist leader Periyar EV Ramasamy’s anger against social ills can be understood from the leader’s life. He said that people like himself understood the word “Sanatana” only due to Periyar.
Though Periyar had been the administrator of a temple and had even performed pujas while in Kashi, he gave up all that and dedicated his entire life to the service of people, Haasan said.
“Neither the ruling DMK nor any other party can claim that Periyar belongs only to them; the entire state of Tamil Nadu should celebrate him as their leader,” he said, adding that he has been one among those who honour Periyar.
Speaking about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said that the BJP regime may attempt to advance it according to their convenience.
(With PTI inputs)
