Udhayanidhi's Teachers' Day Greetings Citing Mahabharata's Dronacharya Sparks Row

Udhayanidhi Stalin said the bond between Dravidian movement and teachers who preach virtue without asking a "thumb" will continue long and forever.

Earlier, Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed that "Sanatan Dharma" is opposed to social justice and equality and should be "eradicated."

Source : PTI

Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is already facing death threats and opposition from politicians, bureaucrats, public and seers alike for his statement on 'Sanatan Dharma', entered a fresh controversy by bringing up the 'discrimination' by Mahabharata's Dronacharya against Ekalavya. In the epic Mahabharata, Dronacharya reportedly mocked Ekalavya from a tribal community and demanded to sacrifice his right thumb as guru 'dakshina' for learning archery from him. 

On Teacher's Day (September 5), Udhayanidhi Stalin took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to convey his wishes to the teachers. In a veiled reference, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi said, "Teachers are unparalleled people who always think only about the future generation. The bond between our Dravidian movement and teachers who preach virtue without asking a "thumb" will continue long and forever. Happy Teacher's Day. #TeachersDay."

என்றென்றும் எதிர்கால தலைமுறையை பற்றி மட்டுமே சிந்திக்கும் ஒப்பற்ற பெருமக்கள் ஆசிரியர்கள். கட்டை விரலை கேட்காமல் அறம் போதிக்கும் ஆசிரியர்களுக்கும் நம் திராவிட இயக்கத்திற்கும் இடையிலான பந்தம் நீண்ட நெடியது! அது என்றும் தொடரும். ஆசிரியர் தின நல் வாழ்த்துகள். #TeachersDay

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) September 5, 2023

According to Mahabharata, Ekalavya, a member of a tribal group, tries to acquire archery from Dronacharya, a military combat expert, by accepting him as a guru at heart and observing him teaching Kaurava and Pandava Prince. In one instance, when Dronacharya learns about it, he demands the impossibly difficult sacrifice of Ekalavya's right thumb as "guru dakshina." As Guru Dakshina, Ekalavya, who pledged to do anything for Drona, cut his right thumb.

Earlier, Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed that "Sanatan Dharma" is opposed to social justice and equality and should be "eradicated." Additionally, Stalin compared "Sanatan Dharma" to the coronavirus, malaria, and dengue illness and declared that such entities should not be opposed but rather eliminated.

Following the statement, Ayodhya seer Paramhans Acharya announced a reward of Rs 10 crore for beheading CM MK Stalin's son over his alleged remarks against 'Sanatan Dharma', as per a report on ANI.