DMK leader's video claiming I.N.D.I.A formed to oppose Sanatan Dharma prinicples puts alliance in a spot

'I.N.D.I.A Alliance Formed To Oppose Sanatana Dharma': DMK Minister K Ponmudy Heard Saying In Viral Video Clip


A video clip of a DMK minister purportedly saying that the I.N.D.I.A alliance was formed to fight Sanatana Dharma has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and controversy among various sections of society. The minister in question is K Ponmudy, the Higher Education minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, who made the remarks at a conference to eradicate Sanatana Dharma, held in Chennai on September 2, 2023.

## What is the I.N.D.I.A alliance?

The I.N.D.I.A alliance, which stands for Indian National Democratic India Alliance, is a coalition of 26 political parties that came together to form a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the 2023 Lok Sabha elections. The alliance was announced by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on December 10, 2022, at a rally in Delhi. The alliance includes parties such as the DMK, the Trinamool Congress, the Shiv Sena, the Aam Aadmi Party, the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Nationalist Congress Party, and others.

## What did Ponmudy say?

In a video clip that is going viral on social media, Ponmudy can be heard saying that the I.N.D.I.A alliance was formed to oppose Sanatana Dharma, which he claimed was against equality and social justice. He said that all the parties in the alliance had a common agenda of bringing out equality, protecting minorities, and ensuring gender equality. He also said that for this to happen, they needed political power.

The video clip was shared by a Twitter user named Vishwatma with the caption: "I.N.D.I.A alliance is formed to fight against the principles of Santana Dharma, we may have our differences among us but the 26 parties in the alliance are united in the fight against Santana Dharma but we need political power for that"DMK Minister Ponmudi."⁶

## How did people react?

The video clip has triggered a strong backlash from various quarters, especially from those who follow Sanatana Dharma, which is also known as Hinduism. Many people have accused Ponmudy and the DMK of spreading hatred and communalism and trying to divide the country on religious lines. Some have also questioned the logic and legality of forming an alliance based on opposing a faith that is followed by millions of Indians.

Some of the reactions on Twitter are as follows:

- "This is not just an attack on Hinduism but an attack on India's unity and diversity. How can they form an alliance to oppose a faith that is part of our culture and heritage? This is anti-national and unconstitutional." - @RajeshKumar
- "DMK has always been anti-Hindu and anti-India. They have no respect for our traditions and values. They are only interested in power and money. They are playing with fire by provoking religious sentiments. They will face the wrath of the people in the next elections." - @SureshGupta
- "This is shocking and shameful. How can a minister say such things in public? How can he insult Sanatana Dharma, which is a way of life and not just a religion? How can he ignore the contributions of Hindu saints and sages to our civilization and knowledge? He should apologize immediately." - @AnjaliSharma
- "This is nothing but vote bank politics. They are trying to polarize the voters on communal lines. They are creating fear and hatred among different communities. They are destroying the secular fabric of our country. They are enemies of democracy and development." - @RaviSingh

## What is Sanatana Dharma?

Sanatana Dharma, which literally means eternal or universal law or order, is an ancient term that refers to the spiritual and ethical principles that govern human life. It is also known as Hinduism, which is derived from the Persian word Hind or Sindhu, meaning the land of the Indus river.

Sanatana Dharma is not a single religion but a collection of diverse traditions, philosophies, practices, sects, schools, scriptures, and movements that share some common features such as belief in reincarnation, karma, dharma, moksha, yoga, Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, epics, gods and goddesses, temples, festivals, rituals, ethics, values, arts, sciences, and culture.

Sanatana Dharma is considered to be one of the oldest living religions in the world and one of the major religions in India. According to the 2021 census, about 79.8% of India's population identified themselves as Hindus, making it the largest religious group in the country.

## What is the history of the DMK and its stance on Sanatana Dharma?

The DMK, which stands for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, meaning Dravidian Progressive Federation, is a regional political party that was founded in 1949 by C.N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), which was led by E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar. The DK was a social reform movement that advocated for the rights and interests of the Dravidian people, who were considered to be the original inhabitants of South India, and opposed the domination of the Brahmins and the North Indians, who were seen as invaders and oppressors.

The DK also rejected Sanatana Dharma as a foreign and oppressive religion that imposed casteism, patriarchy, superstition, and ritualism on the Dravidians. The DK promoted atheism, rationalism, self-respect, social justice, and Tamil nationalism as its core ideologies. The DK also launched several campaigns to denounce and ridicule Hindu gods, scriptures, symbols, festivals, and practices.

The DMK inherited these ideologies from the DK but also adopted a more pragmatic and moderate approach to politics. The DMK sought to achieve state autonomy and linguistic identity within the framework of the Indian Constitution and democracy. The DMK also softened its stance on Sanatana Dharma and tried to accommodate the religious sentiments of its supporters and allies. However, the DMK has often been accused of being anti-Hindu and anti-India by its critics and opponents.

The DMK is currently in power in Tamil Nadu, having won the 2023 assembly elections with a thumping majority. The DMK is led by M.K. Stalin, the son of former chief minister and party supremo M. Karunanidhi, who passed away in 2018. The DMK is also part of the I.N.D.I.A alliance at the national level.

## What are the implications of Ponmudy's remarks?

Ponmudy's remarks have added fuel to the fire of the ongoing controversy over Udhayanidhi Stalin's speech at the same conference, which had already drawn flak from various quarters. The remarks have also exposed the rifts and differences within the I.N.D.I.A alliance, as some of its members have expressed their disagreement and displeasure over the anti-Sanatana Dharma rhetoric of the DMK leaders.

The remarks have also raised questions about the legality and morality of forming an alliance based on opposing a faith that is followed by a majority of Indians. The remarks have also violated the spirit of secularism and pluralism that are enshrined in the Indian Constitution and ethos.

The remarks have also provoked strong reactions from the BJP and its allies, who have condemned Ponmudy and the DMK for spreading hatred and communalism and trying to divide the country on religious lines. The BJP has also demanded that Ponmudy resign from his ministerial post and apologize for his remarks.

The remarks have also created a stir among the people who follow Sanatana Dharma, who have felt hurt and offended by Ponmudy's remarks. Some have also called for a boycott of the DMK and its allies in the upcoming elections.

The remarks have also generated a debate among the intellectuals and scholars who have analyzed Ponmudy's remarks from various perspectives such as history, sociology, politics, culture, religion, law, ethics, etc.

The remarks have also highlighted the need for dialogue and understanding among different faiths and communities in India, which is a diverse and multicultural country. The remarks have also underscored the importance of respecting each other's beliefs and values and promoting harmony and peace in society.

## Conclusion

Ponmudy's remarks have stirred up a hornet's nest in Indian politics and society. The remarks have revealed the deep-rooted animosity and hostility that some political parties harbor against Sanatana Dharma. The remarks have also exposed the fragility and instability of the I.N.D.I.A alliance that claims to represent India's diversity and democracy. The remarks have also triggered a backlash from various sections of society who have denounced Ponmudy and the DMK for their anti-Hindu and anti-India agenda. The remarks have also sparked a discussion on various issues related to Sanatana Dharma such as its origin, nature, meaning, relevance, etc.

The remarks have also raised some serious questions about India's secularism and pluralism that are supposed to be its strength and pride. The remarks have also challenged India's unity and integrity that are supposed to be its foundation and identity. The remarks have also tested India's tolerance and coexistence that are supposed to be its virtue and legacy.

Source:

(6) Ponmudy says I.N.D.I.A alliance formed to oppose Sanatana Dharma. https://newstodaynet.com/2023/09/12/ponmudy-says-i-n-d-i-a-alliance-formed-to-oppose-sanatana-dharma/.
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