On the Sanatan Dharma row, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin should speak realising his responsibility as a State Minister.
Despite witnessing insult to Lord Rama in Tamil Nadu in 1971, Sanatan Dharma did not respond with violence, she said.
Speaking to reporters here, the Finance Minister said, “No one has the right to say that he will eradicate a religion and in particular a minister has no such right at all.” The oath a person takes before assuming the office of a Minister makes that very clear.
To make such a statement in public is most wrong and Udhayanidhi claiming now that he did not give a call for Sanatan Dharma’s eradication is not appropriate. “The media has record (footage of the event). What did he say? He said he was happy that the meet is about eradication of Sanatan and not opposition,” Sitharaman said.
Everyone has a right and they may express their views. However, after becoming a minister a person should speak keeping in mind his responsibilities, she underscored.
The debate on Sanatan was started by Minister Udhayanidhi, belonging to the DMK, an INDIA bloc constituent and did he initiate that debate eyeing the election (2024 Lok Sabha election)? she wondered.
She was answering a question related to criticism by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan that the BJP was indulging in Sanatan debate considering polls. “We did not start the debate, it is you who began it.”