Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said he is “Kalaignar’s grandson” and will not be apologising for his remarks against Sanatan Dharma, which had triggered a massive controversy last year.
Udhayanidhi said his remarks were misinterpreted and claimed that they were aimed at addressing issues faced by women and the allegedly repressive practices towards them in Sanatan Dharma.
At an event on Monday (October 21), he asserted that he echoed the views of Dravidian leaders like Periyar, former Chief Minister CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi. “Women were not allowed to study. They were unable to leave their homes, and if their husbands died, they would have to die as well. Thanthai Periyar spoke against all of this. I echoed what Periyar, Anna, and Kalaignar said,” he was quoted by a report published by India Today.
In September 2023, the deputy chief minister had compared Sanatan Dharma to dengue and malaria, saying that it should not just be opposed but also “eradicated” like these mosquito-borne diseases. His comments had come at a ‘Sanatana Abolition Conference’, where he argued that Sanatan Dharma is against social justice and equality.
He faced protests and severe criticism for his statement, while multiple cases were registered against him. The BJP and Hindu organisations were particularly vocal. “But, my words were twisted. Not just in Tamil Nadu, cases were filed against me in several courts across India. They asked me to apologise, but I stand by what I said. I’m the grandson of Kalaignar, and I will not apologise,” he was quoted in the report.
The 46-year-old DMK leader, who became deputy CM on September 30, was the state’s sports minister before this. In fact, his elevation was reportedly delayed due to the Sanatan controversy.
He said he will face all the cases against him while alleging that there is an attempt to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu, in reference to recent changes to the state anthem. There was a row over certain words being removed from it during a recent Doordarshan Tamil programme.
Echoing his father and CM MK Stalin’s views on the matter, he said couples should give Tamil names to their children. “I request the newlyweds to come up with a beautiful Tamil name for their child. Because many are attempting to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu,” he was quoted.
Alluding to a Tamil saying on 16 kinds of wealth, the chief minister at an event insisted that one should give Tamil names to their children. He said Stalin the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise may make people think about raising “16 children”.
“The Parliament delimitation process may encourage the couples to have many children and give up thoughts of a small family. But whatever be the outcome, provide Tamil names to your children,” he said after solemnising the marriages of 31 couples at a state function.
(With PTI inputs)
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