FIR filed in UP against Udhayanidhi Stalin, Priyank Kharge over Sanatana Dharma row

RAMPUR: Days after Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ sparked a nationwide row, an FIR was registered against him and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur.

The FIR has been registered under Section 153A, 295A Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the two leaders over ‘Sanatan Dharma’ remarks after a complaint from advocates.

The DMK leader Udhayanidhi’s remark on Sanatana Dharma sparked massive controversy across the nation with several BJP leaders and Hindu priests strongly criticising his statement.

#WATCH | On FIR registered against him and TN Minister Udayanidhi Stalin in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says "I don't care, they can do what they want, my statement is very clear. It is not against any particular religion. I had stated that any… pic.twitter.com/jfHdturq4F

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2023

Meanwhile, the DMK leader, in an interview with media personnel, agreed on not being against Hindu religion but the Sanatan practices like caste discrimination.

On being asked about any such example of Sanatan practice, Udhayanidhi Stalin mentioned the incident of President Droupadi Murmu not being invited to the opening of the new Parliament building. “Honourable President, Droupadi Murmu, was not invited for the opening of the Parliament, that is the best current example,” said Udhayanidhi Stalin.

On being asked about the demand for an apology from him, Udhayanidhi refused to reply to the demand. The DMK leader has come under severe criticism since he mentioned last Saturday that Sanatana Dharma should not merely be opposed but “eradicated”.

Besides, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday spoke on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s ‘Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated’ remark and said that any religion that does not promote equality or does not treat you like humans is as good as a disease.

“Any religion that does not promote equality or does not ensure you have the dignity of being human is not a religion, according to me… Any religion that does not give equal rights or does not treat you like humans is as good as disease…” said Priyank Kharge.

Later, reacting to this, BJP National Secretary B. L. Santhosh said in a post on ‘X’, “So if there is an infection in somebody’s stomach, you chop off the head..??”

Notably, the BJP has demanded an apology from MK Stalin’s son. Leaders from the BJP have also blamed the I.N.D.I.A bloc for Udhayanidhi’s remark, claiming such an agenda was discussed during the recent meeting that was held in Mumbai. (ANI)