Sanatana Dharma row: BJP hits out at Opposition bloc INDIA; do not agree with remarks, says Congress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself weighed in on on Wednesday when he asked his ministers to strongly refute Opposition leaders on their controversial comments on Sanatana Dharma.

Adding fuel to the fire, DMK MP A Raja on Thursday, 7 September, said that Sanata Dharma was a “social disgrace” to be equated with leprosy and HIV.

Also read: DMK MP A Raja equates Sanatana Dharma to HIV and leprosy

‘INDI Alliance bringing out their top talent’

Meanwhile, the BJP on Thursday described A Raja’s remarks against Sanatan Dharma as “outrageous and vitriolic” and slammed the Opposition parties. He said Raja’s comments reflected the INDIA bloc’s “mental bankruptcy” and “deep-rooted Hinduphobia”.

Union Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar said the “INDI Alliance” was bringing out their top talent — abuse and hate against the Hindu faith — into action.

“UPA / I.N.D.I alliance are bringing out their “top” talent in their strategy of abuse/hatespeech directed against Hindu faith. First it was dynast @Udhaystalin, followed by assorted Rahul flunkies and now epic icon of UPA corruption & out on bail #2Gscam architect, as latest UPA/I.N.D.I alliance leader in this deliberate campaign which is violative of Art25 n hate speech judgements of SC,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“And not a peep from other so called constitution defenders UPA/I.N.D.I alliance members to condemn/ apologize for this,” the Union minister added.

UPA / I.N.D.I alliance are bringing out their "top" talent in their strategy of abuse/hatespeech directed against Hindu faith

First it was dynast @Udhaystalin, followed by assorted Rahul flunkies and now epic icon of UPA corruption & out on bail #2Gscam architect, as latest… https://t.co/v5JdZb8NKK

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳(Modiyude Kutumbam) (@Rajeev_GoI) September 7, 2023

“Changing name does not conceal one’s intent and character,” Union minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan wrote on X.

Reacting sharply to the DMK leader’s remarks, Pradhan said, “Outrageous and vitriolic comments about Sanatan Dharma, this time by … A Raja, reflect the mental bankruptcy and deep-rooted Hinduphobia that engulfs the I.N.D.I.A bloc.”

He said the country is watching how the Congress and its “friends are consciously maligning the soul, spirit and roots of Bharat”. Let these “hate-mongers be reminded that Sanatan is eternal, Sanatan is truth”, Pradhan added.

Also read: BJP TN chief Annamalai hits out at DMK

‘INDIA members stand exposed’

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday targeted the Opposition’s INDIA alliance, saying its members stand exposed due to their silence on Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s alleged anti-Sanatana Dharma remarks.

“Let any number of Stalins come, they can not eradicate Sanatan Dharma,” Shinde said, talking to the media here after attending Dahi Handi (Janmashtami) celebrations.

“These INDIA alliance members have come together against the Hindus, Hindutva, their real faces are now exposed. Had Balasaheb Thackeray been around today, they would have faced what Mani Shankar Aiyar (once) faced. But unfortunately, they are all tight-lipped,” he added.

The political end of those who oppose Sanatana Dharma is certain, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on the occasion of Janmashtami on Thursday.

Chouhan said, “Those opposing Sanatan Dharma, their political end is certain. There is no beginning or end of Sanatan Dharma.”

Also read: MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi slam BJP, accuse it of ‘twisting’ statements

‘Not agreeing with the remarks’

The Congress on Thursday said it did not agree with the remarks of DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja on Sanatan Dharma and asserted the party believed in “sarvadharma sambhav” (equal respect to all religions).

The Opposition party also asserted that every single member of the INDIA alliance has immense respect for all faiths, communities, and beliefs.

Asked about comments by leaders of ally DMK, Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, “The Congress has always believed in ‘sarvadharma sambhav’ wherein every religion, every faith has its space. No one can treat any particular faith as less than another faith.”

“Neither the Constitution allows this nor the Indian National Congress believes in any of these comments,” Khera said during a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.

“If you know the history of the Indian National Congress you would know that we have always maintained (this stand) and you will find the same principles in the Constituent Assembly debates and the Constitution of India. There can never be a rethink on the Constitution as far as the Congress is concerned,” he said.

Pressed further as to why the Congress had not condemned the remarks, Khera said, “I just said we do not agree with such comments.”

Asked if the Congress would raise this with its ally DMK, Khera said there is no need to raise these issues because “we know for a fact that each one of our constituents also respects every religion”.

“Now if you want to twist anybody’s remarks, they are free to do so. If it suits the PM let him twist those remarks but every single member of the INDIA alliance has immense respect for all faiths, communities, beliefs and religions,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu BJP had filed a complaint against Udhayanidhi Stalin over his comments. The party’s state chief, K Annamalai, also released a video clip over the incident.

(With PTI inputs)