DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and his party refused to be dragged into the Tirupati laddu controversy after Stalin's Andhra Pradesh counterpart Pawan Kalyan raked up his old remarks on Sanatana Dharma.
Speaking at a rally in Tirupati on Thursday, Pawan Kalyan demanded a law at the national level to protect Sanatana Dharma and the establishment of Sanatana Dharma protection boards as he claimed that the laddu adulteration issue is just the tip of the iceberg.
#WATCH | Addressing the gathering on the "Varahi Declaration" in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan says, "...A strong national Act is required to protect Sanatana Dharma and prevent actions that harm its beliefs. This Act should be enacted immediately and uniformly… pic.twitter.com/EjszVysozm
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024
Referring to the recent remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin, Kalyan had said, "Don't say that Sanatana Dharma is like a virus, and it will destroy. Whoever said this, let me tell you, sir, you cannot wipe out Sanatana Dharma. If anyone tries to wipe out Santana Dharma let me tell you from the feet of Lord Balaji. you will be wiped out."
Kalyan claimed that he is an "unapologetic 'sanatani' Hindu.”
Udhayanidhi Stalin had earlier compared Sanatan Dharma to epidemics that cannot be opposed, but can only be eradicated and said, "Few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona, we have to eradicate this. That's how we have to eradicate Sanatana. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated.”
The TN deputy CM refused to further escalate the issue as he responded to Jana Sena Party chief's remarks saying, "Let's wait and see... let's wait and see."
#WATCH | On Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan's remark 'Sanatana Dharma cannot be wiped out and who said those would be wiped out', Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin says "Let's wait and see" pic.twitter.com/YUKtOJRnp9
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
DMK spokesperson Syed Hafeezullah responded to the dig by Kalyan saying his party does not talk about any religion or Hinduism in particular but will continue to talk about caste atrocities, untouchability, and caste hierarchy.