West Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari today lashed out at DMK leader Udayanidhi Stalin for his comments on Sanatana Dharma, calling them irresponsible and derogatory.
He also challenged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to criticise Udayanidhi Stalin, son of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, for his comments.
“If Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee really respects Sanatana Dharma since she claims she respects all religions equally, she should denounce Stalin for his comments,” said Suvendu Adhikari.
“But we know she will not do so since she only respects vote-bank politics. That is why she was quick to denounce Nupur Sharma’s comments and even encouraged protests by the minority community, but she will remain silent now since her ally in the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has made such comments.”
Adhikari said that Stalin›s comments were an attempt to «divide the people of the country on religious lines» and that he should apologize for his remarks. «Sanatana Dharma is the bedrock of Indian culture and civilization. It is a tolerant and inclusive religion that has stood the test of time,» Adhikari said. «Stalin›s comments are an attempt to divide the people of the country on religious lines and they are completely unacceptable.»
He urged the DMK leader to withdraw his remarks and apologize to the people of India. Stalin, son of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs in the Tamil Nadu Government, had on Sunday made a speech in which he said that Sanatana Dharma was «a threat to other religions». He also said that the religion was «full of superstitions and rituals».
“Few things cannot be opposed, they should only be abolished. We cannot oppose Dengue, mosquitoes, Malaria, or Corona, we have to eradicate them. In the same way, we have to eradicate Sanatana (Sanatan Dharma).
Rather than merely opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated,” the DMK leader had said. His comments drew widespread criticism across the nation. A senior RSS functionary said that Stalin›s comments were «an insult to the beliefs of millions of Hindus». He demanded that Stalin withdraw his remarks and apologize to the people of India. The VHP said that Stalin›s comments were «hateful and divisive». It demanded that he be arrested and tried for inciting religious hatred.