Rajnath Singh Flags Off 'Parivartan Sankalp Yatra' In Rajasthan, Questions Congress' Silence Over 'Sanatana Dharma' Row

Rajasthan Polls 2023: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the 'Parivartan Sankalp Yatra' from Rajasthan's Jaisalmer.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Rajsthan's Jaisalmer

Source : X/@BJP4Rajasthan

Rajasthan Assembly Elections: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday cornered the ruling Congress party in Rajasthan over the issue of 'Santana Dharma' remark by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. Addressing a public rally at 'Parivartan Sankalp Yatra' which he flagged off from Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, the BJP leader said, "They are attacking Sanatana Dharma. DMK has attacked Sanatana Dharma and Congress is quiet on it. I want to ask CM Gehlot why he didn't say anything." Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's son and state minister Udhyanidhi, has stirred a controversy after he said that "Sanatan Dharma should be eradicated".

"Why is Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi or Kharge not speaking anything. Why dont they clarify what they think about the Sanatana Dharma... Sanatana Dharma cannot be seen as limited to prayers," Singh said. 

#WATCH | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: On Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'Sanatana Dharma' remark, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "... They are attacking Sanatana Dharma. DMK has attacked Sanatana Dharma and Congress is quiet on it. I want to ask CM Gehlot why he didn't… pic.twitter.com/5Uwrc8AuvX

— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2023

"Sanatana Dharma gives the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and it considers the whole world as one family...The DMK leader should be asked if he has a clarification regarding his statement. The INDIA alliance should apologise otherwise the nation won't forgive," he added. 

The Parivartan Sankalp Yatra is an attempt by the saffron party to make a strong pitch in the Congress-ruled state. Today's yatra comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched 'Parivartan Yatra' in Rajasthan's Dungarpur where he accused the opposition's I.N.D.I.A alliance of doing vote bank politics by 'insulting' Sanatan Dharma. He said that former PM Manmohan Singh had made a statement that the first right on the budget is for the minorities, but "we say that the first right is for the poor, tribals, Dalits and backwards". Shah said it was Rahul Gandhi who compared Hindu organisations with Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terror outfit.

His comments came on the comment of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin that 'Sanatan Dharma should be eradicated'.

Singh is also scheduled to flag off a 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra from Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch at 4.30 pm on Monday (Sept 4). Notably, BJP national president JP Nadda has inaugurated the party's 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra' in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. The journey of the yatra will commence from the sacred city of Chitrakoot in Satna district, marking the beginning of political campaigning in the BJP-ruled state.

Notably, the yatra aims to connect with the people and seek their blessings as the state prepares for upcoming assembly elections later this year.