The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday fired salvo at the Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A. over the ongoing Sanatan Dharma row alleging the bloc of having a hidden agenda to attack the ancient faith. It also questioned the “silence” of the opposition leaders amid frequent critical remarks by DMK leaders about the Sanatan Dharma. Prasad’s statement came after a DMK minister said that it was the bloc’s agenda to oppose Sanatan Dharma.
Launching a fresh attack on the Opposition over the issue, the BJP leader said that the longer Sonia Gandhi maintains silence over the matter the more it will be clear that opposing Sanatan Dharma is part of the INDIA bloc's common minimum programme.
"The BJP will urge this alliance to come out with a categorical resolution that we completely disassociate ourselves (from DMK's criticism) and this is not our agenda," he said at a press conference.
"The Congress and the INDI Alliance should make their view clear and tell if the Constitution gives the right to make objectionable comments against any religion? Do INDI Alliance members not know the constitutional provisions," Nadda said on X.
The alliance, the Congress and Sonia and Rahul Gandhi should answer as to why "hate against Sanatan Dharma is being sold in the name of mohabbat ki dukan," he said. This mega mall of hate is only for power; divide and rule, he alleged.
‘Can They Summon Courage To Criticise Other Faiths’
While the Congress has maintained that it believes in respecting every faith, Prasad alleged that the Opposition has a “hidden agenda” to criticise Sanatan Dharma for “vote bank politics”.
Prasad said that while leaders from those in the DMK to some in parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party have been vocal in criticising Sanatan Dharma and holy books associated with Hinduism, can they summon courage to criticise other faiths and their holy figures.
“The suspicious situation (referring to INDIA alliance's stance on ‘Sanatan Dharma’) confirms that opposing ‘Sanatan’ is the resolution of ‘Ghamandiya’ alliance,” Prasad said.
The BJP leader said that the country will not tolerate insults to Sanatan, adding it will reach out to villages and speak of vikas (development) and virasat (heritage).