TKS Elangovan, spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to clarify its stance on Sanatan Dharma. This call for explanation follows the Madras High Court’s decision on Wednesday to dismiss the quo warranto petition concerning Tamil Nadu ministers, including Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Earlier in the day, Madras HC Justice Anita Sumanth refrained from issuing quo warranto against Tamil Nadu ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin, PK Sekar Babu, and DMK MP A Raja in connection with remarks on Sanatan Dharma.
“They (BJP) should explain as to what is Sanatana Dharma. “The court has observed that they should not be removed from ministership. They should not speak like that. But what we understand – Sanatana Dharma is Manu Dharma. Minister Sekar Babu, who heads the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, faced criticism for participating in the conference on Sanatan Dharma, where Udhayanidhi went on an explosive rant, thereby violating his oath of office.
“You abuse your rights under freedom of speech and expression and the right to freedom of religion and then come to the Supreme Court for protection under Article 32?
Nobody had come forward to explain what Sanatana Dharma is,” Mr Elangovan said. If they say that it is not Manu Dharma, then it is okay, we are not against it,” the DMK leader said. Earlier on March 4, the Supreme Court questioned Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks calling for the eradication of ‘Sanatana Dharma’ and told him that he is “not a layman but a minister”. Do you not know the consequences of what you said?” asked the bench. “If you say it’s this God, this is Jai Sri Ram, this is Bharat Mata ki jai, then we and Tamil Nadu will never accept Bharat Mata and Jai Shri Ram,” Mr Raja had said while addressing a public event in Madurai.
