'Speak Against Sanatana Dharma, You Won't Be Spotted Even With Binoculars': Amit Shah Slams INDIA Coalition Over Udhayanidhi's Remarks

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sharply criticised the INDIA coalition for the remarks made by DMK leader and son of Chief Minister M K Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, against Sanatana Dharma.

Shah accused the opposition bloc of disrespecting the country's culture for the sake of vote bank and appeasement politics.

During the launch of BJP's second Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan, Shah addressed a rally on Sunday in Dungarpur and expressed his concerns.

He said, “I am seeing for two days that you (INDIA coalition) want power, but at what cost? For two days you are insulting this country’s culture, history and Sanatana Dharma.”

Shah specifically pointed out the DMK and Congress, the two major parties in the INDIA coalition.

He mentioned that the senior leaders of these parties, one being the son of a former finance minister and the other the son of a chief minister, were advocating for the end of Sanatana Dharma.

Shah asked the audience if they were willing to support such a proposition.

During an event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi, who is the son of Chief Minister M K Stalin, expressed his belief that Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated.

He went on to further equate it with mosquitoes, dengue fever, malaria, and corona, stating that some things cannot be opposed but should be eliminated.

Udhayanidhi made these remarks while addressing the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, emphasising his view that Sanatana Dharma is against equality and social justice.

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram responded to the social media criticism faced by Udhayanidhi from BJP leaders.

In a post on X, Chidambaram stated that Sanatana Dharma is essentially a code for a caste hierarchical society. He further expressed his opinion that those supporting Sanatana Dharma are longing for a return to the caste-based system, which he believes is a curse on India.

During his speech, Shah criticised the INDIA coalition, accusing them of using the issue of Sanatana Dharma for the sake of vote-bank politics and appeasement.

He claimed that our culture, history, and Sanatana Dharma have been insulted, highlighting that this is not the first time such disrespect has occurred.

Shah also referenced former prime minister Manmohan Singh's statement about minorities having the first right on the budget, countering it by asserting that the poor, adivasis, Dalits, and the backward should be given priority.

He further said “Today the UPA says, the Congress party president says that if Modi ji wins, there will be Sanatana rule. But the rule of Sanatana is already in the hearts of people and no one can remove it. Modi ji has said that this country will run on the basis of the Constitution.”

Shah also referred to a previous statement made by Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader, about radical Hindu outfits.

He said, “They have a prince, Rahul baba, who said that the Hindu organisations are more dangerous than Lashkar-e-Taiba. Rahul baba, you are comparing Hindu organisations with the Lashkar-e-Taiba and your guru and minister used to say that there is Hindu terror. Brothers and sisters, tell me, do you agree to attach the name of Hindu next to terror. This INDIA coalition can stoop to any level to do politics of vote bank and appeasement.”

“But I have come to tell them that the more you speak, the less you will become,” he said, referring to the previous election results.

“Now that you have started speaking against Sanatana Dharma, you will not be spotted even with binoculars.”

He repeatedly referred INDIA coalition as “ghamandiya gathbandhan” (arrogant alliance) and said: “The main party of this alliance, stopped (the construction of) Ram temple for years… You made Modi ji the PM again, and a court judgment came and Modi ji did the bhumi poojan. I have come to tell you that in January, a grand temple will be constructed at the place where Lord Shri Ram was born. The ghamandiya ghatbandhan cannot stop it. It is Narendra Modi’s rule, you cannot stop it.”

During a separate rally in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, BJP president J P Nadda also criticised the opposition coalition for their remarks made by Udhayanidhi.

Nadda expressed his concern over the opposition's coalition attacking India's culture, traditions, and religion.

He referred to Rahul Gandhi's "Mohabbat ki dukaan" (store of love) as a "nafrat failane wali dukaan" (store spreading hatred).

Nadda made these remarks before commencing the Jan Ashirwad Yatra. Nadda urged the audience to reject such an alliance that goes against Sanatana Dharma and spreads poison. He emphasised the need to eradicate those who aim to abolish the religion.

Udhayanidhi has expressed his support for his previous statements, stating that he stands by his words.

In response to allegations made by BJP leader Amit Malviya, who claimed that Udhayanidhi had called for the "genocide of 80% population of Bharat, who follow Sanatana Dharma," Udhayanidhi took to X to clarify that he never made any such call for genocide against those who follow Sanatana Dharma.