New Delhi: The Congress has distanced itself from the controversy that ally DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin kicked up last week with his remarks against caste discrimination in Sanatan Dharma, broadly Hinduism.
The party, however, said that all members of the anti-BJP INDIA alliance had immense respect for all faiths.
Senior leader Pawan Khera said Thursday that the Congress has always believed in the principle of “sarva dharma sambhava” or respect for all religions.
“Every religion, every faith has its space. No one can treat any particular faith as less than another,” Khera said, reacting to the DMK leader’s comments last Saturday where he equated Sanatan practices of caste inequality with coronavirus, malaria and dengue and said it should not just be opposed, but eliminated.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister’s son later clarified that he abhorred caste discrimination and inequalities in all religions, and that his remarks were not against Hinduism.
As Stalin came in the cross hairs of the right wing, there was growing pressure on the Congress to react given the DMK is part of the newly-formed INDIA bloc of 28 parties that have come together to challenge the BJP in 2024.
“The Congress does not believe in any of these comments,” Khera categorically told reporters Thursday.
Asked if the Congress would raise this issue with alliance partner DMK, Khera said: “There is no need to raise this… We know for a fact, each one of our constituents respects every religion. If people want to twist anybody’s remarks, they are free to do so… But every single member of the INDIA alliance has immense respect for all faiths, all communities, all beliefs, all religions.”
Meanwhile, as Stalin’s remarks continued to dominate political rhetoric and counter-rhetoric in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his council of ministers Wednesday to give a “befitting reply” to those insulting Sanatan Dharma. He asked ministers to “factually” respond to all criticism of Sanatan.
While Udhayanidhi has repeatedly said he will not apologise, his father and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin defended came out in his defence Thursday, saying it was unfair of Modi to make comments without knowing exactly what his son meant.
“Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed views on Sanatan principles that discriminate against scheduled castes, tribals and women with no intention to offend any religion or religious beliefs,” he said in a statement.
He also accused the BJP of spreading a false narrative that his son wanted the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts.
Udhayanidhi too released a four-page letter Thursday, accusing the BJP of “twisting my speech” to imply he wanted a genocide.
Meanwhile, Stalin has been booked under Sections 153A (promoting amity) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts) over his remarks after a complaint filed by advocates in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur.
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