Amit Shah Accuses Opposition of Anti-Hindu remarks amidst Controversy Over Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Remarks.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently addressed a political rally in Dungarpur, Rajasthan, where he launched the BJP’s Parivartan Yatra and seized the moment to criticize the Opposition bloc known as INDIA. Shah accused the coalition of harboring anti-Hindu sentiments and launching an attack on India’s rich cultural heritage. His statements came in response to controversial remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin, a prominent DMK member and the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, regarding Sanatana Dharma. These remarks have ignited a nationwide debate and widespread condemnation.
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial comments surfaced during a writers’ conference held in Chennai. He asserted that the concept of Sanatana Dharma is fundamentally incompatible with the principles of social justice and should be eradicated. His analogy likening Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria further fueled the controversy, prompting strong criticism, particularly from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who accused him of promoting genocide.
In response to the growing backlash, Udhayanidhi Stalin clarified that he did not advocate for the genocide of followers of Sanatana Dharma. He underlined his unwavering commitment to championing the cause of the oppressed and marginalized, who he claimed suffered due to the traditional caste-based divisions and religious hierarchies associated with Sanatana Dharma.
Karti Chidambaram, a Congress leader and the son of former Home Minister P Chidambaram, expressed support for Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks. He contended that Sanatana Dharma essentially serves as a euphemism for a caste-based hierarchical society, arguing that those advocating for it are nostalgic for a bygone era and neglecting the deeply entrenched caste issues that persist in India.
Amit Shah used the controversy surrounding these remarks to criticize both the DMK and the Congress, both of which are part of the INDIA alliance. He accused them of undermining India’s heritage and Sanatana Dharma in pursuit of political gain through vote bank politics and appeasement.
Furthermore, Shah brought up a comment made by Rahul Gandhi a decade ago, where the Congress leader had stated that radical Hindu organizations posed a greater threat than the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. Shah seized upon this statement, arguing that it exemplified Congress’s historical tendency to associate Hindu organizations with terrorism, citing former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s use of the term “Hindu terror.”
Shah also highlighted the enduring significance of Sanatana Dharma in the hearts of the Indian populace. He emphasized that it remains a potent cultural force, and some believe that a Sanatana rule would prevail if Prime Minister Narendra Modi were re-elected. He reiterated Modi’s commitment to upholding India’s constitutional values.
Turning his attention to Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya, Amit Shah accused Congress of obstructing the project for years. However, he promised that the grand temple would be ready in January at Lord Ram’s birthplace, asserting that no opposition, including the INDIA alliance, could prevent its completion.
Shah concluded his speech by outlining the ambitious objectives of the Parivartan Yatra, a political campaign covering 2,500 kilometers over 19 days, reaching 52 Assembly constituencies, and hosting numerous small and large meetings. He expressed his belief that by the conclusion of the Yatra, the fate of the Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan would be sealed. Shah also criticized the Gehlot administration, alleging corruption and failure to protect women, citing a high number of reported cases of sexual harassment in the state.
