'Sanatan Dharma Is HIV': Amid Row Over Udhayanidhi's Remark, DMK's A Raja Stokes Fresh Controversy

A Raja said that while patients suffering from vector-borne ailments are not treated with contempt, those battling HIV are and people should be "ashamed" of ‘Sanatan Dharma’.

New Delhi: Amid the raging controversy around DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remark against ‘Sanatan Dharma’, equating it with “dengue, malaria and corona”, fellow party leader A Raja on Thursday went a step further, terming it “HIV”, news agency PTI reported. While patients suffering from vector-borne ailments are not treated with contempt, those battling HIV are, the former Union minister said, adding, “we should be ashamed of Sanatan as we are of HIV”.

Addressing DMK booth agents in Nilgiri on Thursday, A Raja, as quoted by PTI said, “Udhayanidhi said 'Sanatan' is like malaria and dengue. I reiterated the same thing yesterday. We won’t be ashamed if we have malaria and dengue. But, we should be ashamed of 'Sanatan' and that is why I’m saying Sanatan is HIV.”

“We generally do not treat an AIDS patient like just another patient. We see him with disgust, as someone who must have done something wrong. Similarly, 'Sanatan' is a dangerous disease. It should be eradicated. We all can see how Udhayanidhi has come to lead this movement with such conviction, what else does a movement need,” the DMK leader added.

Responding to his remark, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted, "After Udhaynidhi Stalin, it is now DMK’s A Raja, who denigrates Sanatan Dharma… This is nothing but unadulterated hate speech, targeting 80% of Bharat’s population, who follow Sanatan Dharma. This is the true character of Congress led I.N.D.I Alliance, who think demeaning Hindus is the only way to win elections. Was this decided in the Mumbai meet?"

Earlier on Wednesday, A Raja had challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah for an open debate on ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and said he was ready to answer all questions related to the topic if Prime Minister Narendra Modi convenes a meeting on the same, news agency ANI reported.

“I am prepared to give answers for all cabinet ministers if the Prime Minister convenes the meeting and let them permit me. I will explain which one is 'Sanatana Dharma' thereafter you decide,” the DMK MP told ANI.

The controversy on the topic started after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin equated ‘Sanatan Dharma’ with "coronavirus, malaria, and dengue fever," and said that it should not only be opposed but eradicated.