A war of words started between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Ministers Pawan Kalyan and Udayanidhi Stalin over ‘Sanatana Dharma’. Prior to Lok Sabha elections, Udayanidhi Stalin had commented that ‘Sanatana Dharma’ is like a virus and it needs to be destroyed.
Referring to those comments, Pawan Kalyan indirectly issued a warning in Tirupati on Thursday asserting that no one can wipe out Sanatana Dharma. If anyone tries to do so, he warns they will be wiped out. When reporters questioned Stalin about this on Friday, he smiled and replied, “Wait and see. Wait and see”.
DMK leader Udayanidhi Stalin on Friday responded in the above four words to Pawan Kalyan’s latest warning that “Sanatana Dharma” is like malaria and dengue. After climbing seven hills on foot and visiting Lord Shiva in Tirumala, Pawan Kalyan made many comments on Sanatana Dharma in Tirupati.
He made it clear that he is ready to sacrifice his life for the protection of Sanatana Dharma. “You say that ‘Orthodoxy’ is like a virus. They say they will destroy it. Whoever said this, I have only one answer for them. You cannot wipe out ‘Sanatana Dharma’. If anyone tries to do that, you will be wiped out,” warned the saffron-clad Pawan Kalyan.
Pawan Kalyan did not directly mention Udayanidhi Stalin’s name in these comments. However, DMK Spokesperson Dr. Syed Hafeezullah responded to Pawan Kalyan’s comments. “DMK does not talk about any religion, or Hinduism in particular. But will continue to speak against caste atrocities, untouchability etc.”
Moreover, he alleged that “BJP, TDP and Pawan Kalyan are using religion and Hindu gods for political purposes. They are the real enemies. Pawan Kalyan’s statement is an attempt to divert the attention of crores of people”.
Before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections Udayanidhi Stalin’s comment about ‘Sanatana Dharma’ then sparked a fierce political controversy. He made this comment a few months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a public event in Chennai.
He said that ‘Sanatana Dharma’ cannot be opposed only, it must be wiped out. He said that the idea of Sanatana Dharma is inherently regressive and divides people on the basis of caste and gender”. Stalin argued that orthodoxy was fundamentally antithetical to equality and social justice.
