'Country will not tolerate insult': BJP fires fresh salvo at opposition over Sanatan Dharma row

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Tuesday accused the INDIA bloc of having a hidden agenda to attack Sanatan Dharma for its vote bank politics as it questioned the "silence" of opposition leaders amid frequent critical remarks by DMK leaders about the ancient faith.

Ex-Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad came down heavily on opposition saying, "DMK Education Minister Ponmudy's remark has come to light. There is a saying in English 'The cat is out of the bag'. What they thought has become clear. INDIA alliance has been formed to oppose and finish Sanatana Dharma...He said this at the same 'anti-Sanatana Dharma' event where CM Stalin's son compared Sanatana to dengue, malaria & A Raja called it "worse than AIDS"...Their hidden agenda is to do vote bank politics by opposing Sanatana Dharma...," Prasad said.

The BJP leader also pulled INDIA alliance saying the union has been formed to oppose and finish Sanatana Dharma. "It's opposition's hidden agenda to criticise Sanatan Dharma for 'vote bank' politics; does it have guts to criticise other faiths," he said. "I ask Congress party and this alliance - Do they have the right to criticise deities of some other faith? Do they have the courage? Can they do it?... They stay silent on other religions but openly oppose Sanatana."

"Country will not tolerate insult to Sanatan; we will reach out to villages and speak of vikas (development) & virasat (heritage)," he added.

Questioning Udhayanidhi Stalin, for his objectionable remarks against Sanatana Dharma, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that the leader of DMK, an ally in INDIA bloc, should Keep his personal or parties' views to himself and within the state.

BJP president JP Nadda also criticised Udayanidhi Stalin's saying, "Statement coming two days after the Mumbai meeting of INDI Alliance, then Priyank Kharge's attack on Sanatan and today the DMK minister accepting that INDI Alliance was formed in protest against Sanatan Dharma, this is Sonia Gandhi. This is part of a well thought out strategy by Rahul and Congress."

"Congress and INDI Alliance should clarify their opinion on this statement, they should be asked whether there is a provision in the Constitution to make objectionable statements about any religion? Are the people of INDI Alliance not aware of the provisions of the Constitution?" Nadda said.

"INDI Alliance, Congress, Sonia and Rahul should tell why the goods of hatred against Sanatan Dharma are being sold in the name of love shop? This mega mall of hatred is just for power – divide and rule," Nadda said.