Sanatana Dharma row: BJP TN chief Annamalai hits out at DMK; equates party to Dengue, Malaria, Kosu

Annamalai released an 11-minute video clip in response to the statement issued by DMK chief MK Stalin, on Thursday, 7 September.

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

‘Why didn’t CM rebut Veeramani?’

In the video statement, Annamalai questioned why the chief minister did not rebut the remarks of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) leader K Veeramani when he said that Sanatana Dharma was the Hindu religion, on the same stage where Udhayanidhi equalised it to Covid-19, dengue, and malaria.

Stating that Sanatana Dharma, by its very nature, accommodated everybody, Annamalai said that the BJP would protect the Dharma.

If something needs eradication from Tamil Nadu, it is the DMK.

D – Dengue
M – Malaria
K – Kosu

Going forward, we are sure that people will associate these deadly diseases with DMK.

Here is my detailed rebuttal to TN CM Thiru @mkstalin avl’s press statement today. pic.twitter.com/sg6Pmp1nTv

— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) September 7, 2023

He also alleged that the DMK was an anti-Dalit party and cited an instance where former chief minister M Karunanidhi dismissed former minister Sathyavani Muthu for complaining that the former was against Dalits.

He added that the DMK leaders trying to abolish “certain ills” of Sanatana Dharma were like “Satan talking to God about the Vedas”.

He also accused the DMK of not giving enough representation to people from the Scheduled Caste in its Cabinet. “There are only 3 ministers in the present Cabinet who belong to the SC community. That is less than 10 percent of the 35-member Cabinet. Is this what you call a progressive government?” Annamalai asked in the video.

Annamalai claimed that DMK was promoting casteism in Tamil Nadu and stated that of all the states in the country, it was Tamil Nadu that witnessed the highest number of caste conflicts.

“Sanatana Dharma is timeless and it is certain people that bring discriminatory practices into it. However, great saints and scholars try to abolish those practices and keep it sacred,” contented Annamalai.

Also Read: TN police book BJP IT wing chief Amit Malviya, Ayodhya seer

Complaint submitted to Governor

Meanwhile, senior leader of the BJP, on Thursday, made a representation to Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi.

In the letter, they pointed out the Supreme Court’s direction to the states to register suo-moto FIRs on hate speech incidents and proceed against offenders without waiting for someone to lodge a complaint.

Here’s the copy of the letters submitted by senior leaders of @BJP4TamilNadu to our Hon Governor of TN, Thiru RN Ravi avl, today. pic.twitter.com/otHTOtzJQm

— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) September 7, 2023

“As per the Supreme Court guidelines, the hate speech will attract offences under Sections 153A, 153B, 295A, and 505 of the IPC. However, the Tamil Nadu police has not acted on this hate speech of Udhayanidhi Stalin,” the letter said.

“In our country, people… are deeply hurt by the call for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma and on their behalf, BJP Tamil Nadu has registered more than a hundred complaints across various police stations in Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, the Police department hasn’t filed a single FIR on this matter,” the letter added.

Annamalai quoted former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s letter to the then-chief minister of Tamil Nadu condemning Periyar EV Ramasamy’s anti-Brahmin statements.

Related: Udhayanidhi’s Sanatana remark is a diversionary tactic, says EPS

‘Udhayanidhi following Ramasamy’s footsteps’

“…how is the call for stabbing and killing one section of the society any different from the call for the eradication of entire Sanatana Dharma? By saying that he is following the footsteps of EV Ramasamy, is Udhayanidhi Stalin recommending people to stab and kill practitioners of Sanatana Dharma?” Annamalai asked.

சனாதன ஒழிப்பு மாநாடு என்ற பெயரில், வெறுப்புப் பிரச்சாரம் செய்த அமைச்சர் திரு. உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலினுக்கு எதிராக, மாண்புமிகு உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தின் வழிகாட்டுதலின்படி தமிழகத்தில் வழக்குகள் பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று மாண்புமிகு ஆளுநர் உத்தரவிடக் கோரியும்,

அமைச்சராகப் பொறுப்பேற்கும்போது… pic.twitter.com/DsiTiT8YBp

— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) September 7, 2023

Stating that Udhayanidhi has deliberately disturbed peace and tranquility in Tamil Nadu and has to be dealt with in the same manner as every other citizen of this country, the BJP alleged in the letter that he was being safeguarded by the police from action due to the privilege of being the son of the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

“Your Excellency, we request you to kindly instruct the DGP of the state to take action on the complaints immediately, an FIR be filed, and action be taken as per the guidelines laid by the Honourable Supreme Court of India,” the letter stated.

They also sought to remove HR and CE minister Sekar Babu from the Cabinet for participating in the conference that was held against Sanatana Dharma.