Udhayanidhi Stalin's Sanathana Dharma row. 2024 elections and anti-caste and region views.

Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on 2-Sep-2023 (Saturday) called for eradicating Sanathana Dharma, alleging that it is against equality and Social Justice while taking a dig at the Saffron Party's Hindu Rashtra Ambitions, the DMK Youth Wing Secretary compared the Sanathana Dharma with Corona Virus, Malaria Virus, Dengue Virus and mosquitoes. Udhayanidhi Stalin S/o Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin refer to Sanathana Dharma in his address in Tamil at a meet of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association on 2-Sep-2023 (Saturday). He lauded the organisers for picking the theme of Sanathana Dharma elimination rather than choosing opposition to Sanathana Dharma.

What is Sanathana Dharma?

The name Sanathana Dharma is from Sanskrit. Sanathana Dharma is against Equality and Social Justice. Mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik said that Sanatana Dharma meaning eternal doesnot appear n Vedas. The word Sanathana Dharma being used in Bhagavat Gita and refers to knowledge of the Soul, which is eternal Devdutt Pattanaik said in a video. "One can say that Sanathana Dharma refers to eternal regions which believe in Soul and rebirth he said". Although the term is most commonly associated with Hinduism. It is also used by Jains and Buddhist because these religions also believe in rebirth. It is not used for religions that believe in one life, Christianity, and Islam which come from Middle East Devdutt Pattanaik said. It is only more recently particularly since the late 19th century that Sanatana Dharma has been used to signify Hinduism as a religion distinct from other religions.

What is the meaning of Sanathana Dharma?

It is eternal that is, it cannnot be changed, no one could pose any question and that is the meaning. Sanathana Dharma - people on the basis of caste, he alleged.

BJP hits back:

The remarks gave birth to a big political controversy. The members of the BJP showed their displeasure with the idea. Questions have also been raised on the opposition bloc, India and its objective for the 2024 assembly polls. Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, 3-Sep-2023 flagged the issue and accused DMK and Congress for talking about ending Sanathana Dharma. While hitting out Rahul Gandhiji for comoaring Hindu Organisations the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. For the last 2 days the India alliance has been insulting Sanathana Dharma, leaders of DMK and Congress are talking about ending Sanathana Dharma. Leaders of DMK and Congress are talking about ending Sanathana Dharma just for vote bank politics. This is not the first time they have insulted Sanathana Dharma. BJP jumped on DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin eradicate Sanathana Dharma remark to target India opposition bloc of which DMK leader M.K. Stalin is a member and gain leverage ahead of state elections this year the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Senior leader KC Venugoopal underlined the need to respect all religions stating that every politicians outfit has the freedom to express their views and that the Congress respects everybody's belief. Our view is clear Sarva Dharma Samabhava" is the Congress ideolgy, he said on the otherside was Kamal Nath, who told reporters. These may be his personal views . . . "I am not in agreement with DMK leader M.K.Stalin". The most forceful comment was from Karnataka Minister Priyank Lharge, who is party boss Mallikarjun Kharge's Son. He said any religion that doesnot give equal rights is as good as disease. "Any religion that doesnot promote equality, or doesnot ensure you have dignity of being human is not religion according to me. Any religion that doesnot give equal rights is as good as disease".

Clarification from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister DMK leader M.K.Stalin:

Udhayanidhi Stalin on 2-Sep-2023 said that he stood by his remarks and they clarified that they were just criticism. In a statement on Sunday evening, he said that he would continuously say that Sanathana Dharma should be eradicated. Tamil Nadu C.M. M.K. Stalin said that the Sanathana Dharma should be eradicated. Stalin said that the Sanathana Dharma is something that is permanent and not subject to change while Dravida Ideology propagates change and that everyone is equal in the Dravidian concept. He, however, added that some people were childish in stating that he had called for a genocide of people believing in Sanathana Dharma. Udhayanidhi Stalin said that some people were saying that Dravidam should be abolished and questioned whether that meant DMK workers be killed. he accused the BJP was twisting facts and was spreading lies which was their regular habit, as per IANS report. 

(IANS - Indo-Asian News Service)

Ayodhya Seer's Paramahans Acharya on Monday announced a reward of Rs.10.crore for beheading DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged remarks against Sanatana Dharma.

Tamil Nadu's Case:

Periyar the founder of the self respect movement (1925) was strongly anti-caste and anti-religion in his outlook. He advocated Major Social Reforms related to caste and gender and opposed the dominion of Hindi, emphasising the district cultural identity of the Tamil Nation.                                                       In 1938, Justice Party which Periyar was a member of and the Self Respect Movement come together. In 1944, the new outfit was named Dravidar Kazhagam, Dravidar Kazhagam was anti-Brahmin, anti-Congress and anti-Aryan and lauunched a movement for an independent Dravida Nation.

Post-Independence - Periyar refused to contest elections. In 1949 one of Periyar's closest aides, C.N.Anna Durai (Conjeevanam NatarajanAnna Durai). Split from him due to ideological differences C.N.Anna Durai's DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) joined the electoral process. The party's platforms were social democracy and Tamil cultural nationalism.

Split in DMK:

In 1969 following the death of C.N.Anna Durai, M. Karunanidhi took control of DMK. In 1972 difference between him and actor politician                                                               M.G.Ramachandran (Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran) led to split in the party. MGR formed AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) with associations of his fans as the organisations bedrock. In 1977, MGR came to power and remained undefeated until his death in 1987. He somewhat diluted the rationalist and Brahmin agenda that was core to Dravida Kazhagam (DK). opting for welfarism as party ideology.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's views about BJP stirring up Sanathana Dharma:

Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin on Wednessday alleged that the BJP was stirring up the Sanatana Dharma issue to divert people's attention from its failures and corruption. In his statement, Chief Minister MK Stalin endoned Dravida Kazhagam K. Veeramani's view that there should be more talk about corruption under the BJP Government because the Saffron Party was trying to use the Sanathana Dharma issue to divert people's attention from its corrupt activities "Asiriyar Veeramani" has expressed a correct opinion. I request the DMK workers and leaders of the alliance to follow it," he said. Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin's statement came on a day when an FIR was filed on Mumbai against his son and Cabinet Colleague Udhayanidhi Stalin for his remarks on Sanathana Dharma, which sparked the ongoing row. Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin also pointed out that Prime Minister Naredra Modi had told his ministerial colleagues to give "a proper response" to the Sanathana Dharma row, and accordingly a Union Minister was talking every day about it and creating a debate. "we should not lose our focus and give away to diversionary tactics" he said. "The Prime Minister has not kept any of the promises he made before the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The BJP Government has lost people's faith and in emerging in a publicity spree. That is what we have to highlight in our campaign" he said. Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin said the Rafale scam and the allegations against the Adani Group shamed the nation on the global stage. He also pointed out that the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report (CAG Report) had exposed scams to the tune of Rs.7.50 lakh crore in 7 schemes. To hide them, the BJP had taken up the Sanathana Dharma issue, he claimed.

He said the BJP was scared of the opposition bloc, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). In the recent bye elections, the bloc scored a massive victory, which augured for it nationwide. "Let us work towards exposing the BJP's corruption, fascism and authoritarianism and ensure its defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and safeguard India's democracy" he said.Colclusion:

In his speech on Saturday Udhayanidhi Stalin also spoke of points that were made earlier by Periyar and connected them to the DMK's political platform.

What did Sanatana Dharma do to Women?

It pushed women who lost their husbands, into fire the erstwhile practice of Sati, it tonsured the heads of widows and made them wear white sarees.

What did the Dravidian?

The Dravidian ideology followed by DMK regime do? It gave fare free travel to women in buses and gave Rs.1,000/- monthly assistance to girl students for their college education he said.