BJP To Go On The Offensive Against I.N.D.I.A Alliance Over Sanatana Dharma Remark, To Shift Focus Back To Domestic Politics After G20

Following the highly successful G20 Summit in New Delhi, where all stakeholders signed a joint statement, India has officially passed on the presidency to Brazil.

Now, the focus for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is shifting back to domestic politics.

As per a report by News18, the BJP is gearing up for an assertive political offensive, targeting not only Udhayanidhi Stalin but also the INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress, in response to the 'Sanatana Dharma' remark, according to sources.

The BJP's senior leadership will bring up this issue on the campaign trail in states preparing for elections. They will question the apparent "silence" of the INDIA bloc regarding Udhayanidhi Stalin's comment, which triggered a significant controversy and garnered support from DMK's A Raja and Priyank Kharge, a Congress leader and the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

An anonymous BJP leader informed News18, "In the upcoming week, the BJP, as a party and through its leaders, will raise this issue on various social media platforms, highlighting the opposition's duplicity. Keep an eye out for major rallies in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared a brief video featuring UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife's visit to the Akshardham temple in Delhi, where they performed puja. Poonawalla used the background song Jai Siya Ram and stated on X, "They set out to destroy Hindus and Sanatana? Now, the flag of Sanatana waves proudly in the entire universe."

Notably, Rishi Sunak had used the phrase Jai Siya Ram in his speech during a Ram Katha event at Cambridge University in August, which gained significant attention.

Upon Sunak's arrival in New Delhi for the G20 event, Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey greeted him with the same phrase, indicating a deliberate choice.

Poonawalla clarified that his post on X should not be linked to any other context. He stated, "All I am saying is that attempts to attack Sanatana Dharma and Hindus have been made by invaders and perhaps in the modern day by the political, ideological progenies of those invaders or those who champion the causes of those invaders but Sanatana Dharma continues to flourish."

Poonawalla pointed out the Congress's history of denying Lord Ram's existence and making controversial comparisons.

Despite Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's presence at a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi, sources suggest that the BJP's strategy remains unchanged, rooted in a clear directive from the highest echelons of the party regarding the 'Sanatana Dharma' issue.

Before departing for the ASEAN meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informally met with his ministerial colleagues, instructing them to provide a "fitting response" to those targeting Sanatana Dharma. He emphasised sticking to facts when delivering their rebuttals.

Udhayanidhi's remark, equating Sanatana Dharma to diseases and advocating its eradication, has remained a contentious issue, with the leader standing firm on his statement.