"This is not against Hindu community": VCK party chief on Udhayanidhi Stalin remarks on Sanatan Dharma

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 3 (ANI): Invoking the ideology of Periyar and Ambedkar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol. Thirumavalavan on Sunday said that DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks about Sanatan Dharma are not directed against the Hindu community but rather against Hindutva which is the political agenda of BJP and RSS. 
He said that Minister Udhayanidhi spoke in alignment with the ideologies of Periyar and Ambedkar, who advocated for equality.
Speaking to ANI, Thol. Thirumavalavan said," Dr BR Ambedkar says 'Sanatana Dharma' or Hindu Dharma, is a contagious disease. It should be eradicated and annihilated in future. Then only we can attain equality among the people. So Minister Udhayanidhi spoke about the ideology of Periyar, Ambedkar and equality."
"So this is not against the Hindu community. They have their own beliefs, we are not criticizing their beliefs. We are opposing and criticising Sangh Parivar's agenda. Their agenda is nothing but Hindutva. So we are not against Hindus. We are against Hindutva which is the political agenda of BJP and RSS," he added. 
Earlier DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday said that Sanatan Dharma should not merely be opposed but eradicated.
"Few things cannot be opposed, they should only be abolished. We can't oppose Dengue, mosquitoes, Malaria, or coronavirus, we have to eradicate them. In the same way, we have to eradicate Sanatana (Sanatan Dharma). Rather than merely opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated," he said.
Reacting to the remarks made by DMK Minister, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo on Sunday said that Sanatana Dharma' is an established way of life and it should be completely respected adding that remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin on it is a personal opinion of DMK leader. 
"This can be his personal opinion. There are lots of religions in the world and any such comment on any religion is personal, everybody has the freedom. 'Sanatana Dharma' is an established way of life and a religious expression. It should be respected completely," he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP targeted the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over his remarks. Furious over the remarks made by DMK leader Udayanidhi Stalin about 'Sanatan Dharma', BJP President JP Nadda on Sunday indirectly attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying 'Mohabbat ki Dukan' is spreading hate and asked whether the leaders of the INDIA Bloc are going to use the anti-Hindu strategy in the upcoming elections.
"Is Udayanidhi's statement a part of the INDIA alliance's political strategy? Are you going to use this anti-Hindu strategy in the upcoming elections? You have proved multiple times that you hate everything related to our country and your 'Mohabbat ki Dukan is spreading hate," he said.  
BJP leader Sushil Modi said that DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has committed an anti-national act by suggesting that 'Sanatana Dharma should be abolished' and questioned the silence of prominent leaders of the INDIA alliance on this issue.  
"Udhayanidhi Stalin should be detained and jailed. He is spreading hatred in the community. On one side Rahul Gandhi says 'Nafrat ke bazaar mein Mohabbat ki dukaan' and on the other side, a major leader of their ally in Tamil Nadu is saying to eradicate 'Sanatana Dharma' completely. This is an Anti-national act," Sushil Modi said. (ANI)