NEW DELHI, May 12 : The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday demanded an unconditional apology from DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatan Dharma and urged the Tamil Nadu Assembly speaker to expel him from the House and remove his statement from its proceedings.
The VHP also attacked the INDIA bloc parties and the Tamil Nadu government for remaining silent over the DMK leader’s remarks, saying their “silence speaks volumes”.
The remarks came after Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday called for the “abolition” of Sanatan Dharma, claiming that it divides people, repeating the controversial statement he made in September 2023.
VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal accused the DMK leader of repeatedly insulting Sanatan Dharma and hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus.
“He should apologise for such objectionable remarks. The speaker should not only expunge such words from the proceedings of the House but should also expel such a legislator from the Assembly,” Bansal said.
Targeting Stalin, he said some people do not learn despite repeated poll defeats.
“Attacking Sanatan has become their destiny. They have been saying for years that they will eradicate Sanatan. But those who came to destroy Sanatan have themselves vanished over centuries. Sanatan is eternal. What is their stature that they can eliminate it?” he asked.
In a post on X, Bansal said, “Rassi jal gayi par bal nahin gaya, shayad zaleel hone ki ichchha hai (The rope has burnt but its twists remain; perhaps the desire to be disgraced still remains).”
He said some people learn from ideology and some from court reprimands, “but there are some so stubborn that they do not learn even after public rejection”.
Referring to the DMK’s recent electoral setback, he said, “It is unfortunate that even after the shameful defeat in the recent Assembly election, the DMK has learnt nothing.”
“Dear Udhayanidhi, increase your knowledge a little. Sanatan always unites people, it never divides them,” he said.
The VHP leader said the people of Tamil Nadu have already rejected such politics and warned that continued attacks on Sanatan Dharma will politically damage the DMK and its ideology further.
“The people of Tamil Nadu have already thrown such thinking out of power. If they still do not mend their ways, the coming times will be very difficult for them, their party and their ideology,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the DMK leader, Bansal said, “Though his name is Udhayanidhi, he will bring about the sunset of his own party.”
He further said “the power of Sanatan” has forced Udhayanidhi Stalin, his party and ideology “to sit in the opposition”.
“Remember, countless people who dreamt of eradicating Sanatan have themselves been erased from history many times over. Your anti-Sanatan mentality will also soon end,” he said.
The VHP leader also questioned the silence of the INDIA bloc parties over the issue.
“The parties of the INDI alliance should clarify whether they stand with those who seek to eliminate Sanatan or with those who protect it,” he said.
Bansal also sought a response from the Tamil Nadu government and former chief minister M K Stalin on the issue.
“Their silence and mute approval say a lot,” he said.
He further asserted that the followers of Sanatan Dharma are peace-loving people but know how to respond when their faith is attacked.
“The followers of Sanatan are peace-loving people spread across the world. They do not react to every provocation, but they know how to respond and will give an answer at an appropriate time,” Bansal said.
In his maiden speech as the leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin also said the opposition “will not permit” any attempt to sideline “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” — the Tamil invocation song.
“Sanatan Dharma, which divides people, must certainly be abolished,” he said. Similar remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin in 2023 had created a major row, with the DMK leader facing criticism and court cases from pro-Hindutva outfits over his remarks.
In the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin highlighted a specific grievance regarding the recent swearing-in ceremony of the new Tamil Nadu government, saying the state anthem was pushed to the third position in the order of events.
“Such an incident, which happened during your government’s swearing-in ceremony, was a mistake and you should not permit it to happen again in this Assembly. We will not permit it,” he said.
The DMK leader added that not just in the Assembly, but at any event held in Tamil Nadu, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” must always be given the primary position. (PTI)
