BJP demands explanation for Udhayanidhi’s remarks
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took forward its attack on Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on Sanatana Dharmafrom recently with senior Ministers of the Narendra Modi-led government demanding to know whether the DMK’s allies in the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc parties, particularly the Indian National Congress, were in agreement with the remarks.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh hit out at the Opposition alliance’s silence over Udhayanidhi’s comments on Sanatana Dharma, warning that the nation will not forgive them unless they apologise. He asked why Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot are silent on the issue.
“DMK has attacked Sanatana Dharma and Congress is quiet on it. I want to ask [Rajasthan Chief Minister] Ashok Gehlot why he does not speak, why Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, [Congress president Mallikarjun] Kharge do not say what is their thinking on Sanatana Dharma,” Mr. Singh asked.
“Sanatana Dharma cannot be seen as limited to prayers. Sanatana Dharma gives the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and it considers the whole world as one family. The DMK leader should be asked if he has a clarification regarding his statement. The INDIA alliance should apologise otherwise the nation won’t forgive.”
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal hit out at the Opposition parties and asked the Congress if the INDIA bloc had met in Mumbai to finalise its agenda against Sanatana Dharma and how to finish it off across the country. “Is this your ‘mohabbat ki dukan’ [shop of love],” he asked while accusing the Congress party of spewing venom against the Hindu religion.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, questioned the silence of Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders of the INDIA bloc over Mr. Udhayanidhi’s remarks, accusing them of practising appeasement politics for votes.
He demanded that the INDIA bloc, especially the Congress, clarify if abusing Hindus and hurting “India’s majority community” is their definition of freedom of expression.