Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Strongly backing his son over his remarks on Sanatana Dharma, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “invoking Sanatan” as an attempt to divert attention from key issues and falling for the “false narrative” that Udhayanidhi called for “genocide” despite having “all access and resources to verify the facts.”
In a detailed statement, Stalin also said neither the Prime Minister nor his ministers spoke on issues like Manipur violence or the Rs 7.50 lakh crore irregularities highlighted in CAG reports, but a Cabinet meeting was “convened” to discuss Sanatan issue. “Can these leaders truly protect the backward castes, Scheduled Castes, Tribal people, and uplift women?” he asked.
Stalin also sought to turn the tables on the BJP saying if the party needs any further explanation regarding what Udhayanidhi spoke, it should consult RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat who on Wednesday spoke about existence of inequalities in the country and batted for continuation of reservation benefits till the time discrimination exists.
He also took pains to explain that Udhayanidhi expressed his views on Sanatan principles that discriminate against Scheduled Castes, Tribals, and women, with no intention to offend any religion or religious beliefs, and spoke against oppressive ideologies and called for eradication of these practices.
“As far as the DMK is concerned, our ideals and goals are transparent and clear. We operate under the motto of One clan, One god and Happiness of the poor. Our movement aims to uplift the Backward, Most Backward, Scheduled, and Tribal castes, minorities, women, and the poor,” he said.
Pro-BJP forces, unable to tolerate his stance against oppressive principles, have spread a false narrative, alleging that he called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts, Stalin said, adding that the “Social Media mob” nurtured by the BJP has widely circulated this falsehood in northern states.
“However, Udhayanidhi never used the word 'genocide' in either Tamil or English. Still, lies were spread claiming so. If the troll army of BJP spreads these lies, the responsible Union Ministers and State Chief Ministers who belong to BJP should have cared to check what Udhayanidhi has actually spoken before commenting on him,” he said.
Stalin said the Prime Minister too fell for this fake narrative as he told his minister that Udhayanidhi's remarks need a proper response despite possessing access to all resources to verify any claim or report.
“So, is the Prime Minister speaking unaware of the lies spread about Udhayanidhi, or does he do so knowingly? Given these instances, it raises questions about whether the Prime Minister, who has failed to fulfil any of his promises, is attempting to divert attention by invoking Sanatan,” he added.
Stalin also alleged that the BJP proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ only out of fear after Opposition parties formed I.N.D.I.A. alliance and that it is evident that the BJP is not “genuinely concerned about the discriminatory practices in Sanatan but rather desperate to create divisions within the opposition alliance.”
“It doesn't take a political genius to recognise this as a political gimmick,” Stalin added.