As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifies its pressure campaign regarding the controversial 'Sanatana Dharma' remarks made by Tamil Nadu minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, responses from the Opposition conglomerate known as INDIA reveal a lack of consensus. While certain partners within the DMK-led INDIA alliance have distanced themselves from the remarks and condemned them, the Indian National Congress (Congress) has witnessed divergent opinions within the party concerning Chief Minister MK Stalin's son's comments.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, on September 2, asserted that 'Sanatana Dharma' is incompatible with principles of equality and social justice, likening it to ailments like coronavirus and malaria and advocating for its elimination.
VARYING STANCES WITHIN CONGRESS
In the aftermath of Udhayanidhi Stalin's statement, leaders from the Congress party have expressed differing viewpoints on the matter. Member of Parliament Karti Chidambaram stated that he "wholeheartedly supports" the DMK minister's remarks and discerns "no-fault" in them. The Congress leader contended, "All that Udhayanidhi Stalin articulated in his speech was the imperative need to eradicate a society marked by caste-based hierarchies."
Karnataka minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge also appeared to lend support to Udhayanidhi Stalin's statement, asserting, "In my view, any religion that fails to uphold equality, any religion that fails to guarantee an individual's inherent dignity as a human being, can hardly be considered a religion; it is, to me, tantamount to an affliction."
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal highlighted the party's commitment to the principle of "Sarva Dharma Samabhava" and emphasized that every political entity possesses the liberty to express its views. He underlined the Congress's reverence for various belief systems, stating, "We honor the convictions of all."
Conversely, Congress leader and former Union minister Karan Singh characterized the DMK leader's statement as "regrettable" and expressed strong objection to it, deeming it a "wholly unacceptable assertion."
NO LINKAGE TO INDIA BLOC: TMC
The Trinamool Congress (TMC), another constituent of the INDIA alliance, clarified that the alliance bears no association with the comments made by the DMK minister. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee affirmed her respect for 'Sanatana Dharma,' adding, "We should refrain from engaging in any discourse that could inflict harm upon any segment of society." She also made a jest about Udhayanidhi, remarking, "Perhaps he is still learning the ropes (in politics) and may not be fully aware."
Priyanka Chaturvedi, a leader from the Shiv Sena (Uttan Bhartiya Team), also appeared to critique the DMK minister's statement, remarking, "Anyone who makes disparaging comments about 'Sanatana Dharma' is evidently unfamiliar with its profound significance." She emphasized that 'Sanatana Dharma' symbolizes "timeless truth."
