Home News Congress Spokie Lakshmi Ramachandran Supports Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Call To Eradicate Sanatana Dharma

Congress Spokie Lakshmi Ramachandran Supports Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Call To Eradicate Sanatana Dharma

By
The Commune
-

Congress spokesperson Lakshmi Ramachandran has triggered fresh political debate after publicly backing controversial remarks linked to Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on “Sanatana Dharma,” while sharing and endorsing comments made by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram during a recent media interaction.

The row follows statements made by Karti Chidambaram in an ANI podcast, where he addressed the political controversy surrounding the term “Sanatan” and its interpretation in Tamil Nadu.

During the interaction, Chidambaram argued that “Sanatan” or “Sanatana Dharma” is not a term commonly used in Tamil Nadu’s religious vocabulary. He maintained that Hindu religious practice remains widespread and uninhibited in the state, pointing to temple visits, ritual practices such as breaking coconuts, and the wearing of vibhuti or kumkum as part of everyday expressions of faith.

He further stated that, in Tamil Nadu’s popular and political parlance, the term “Sanatana Dharma” is often understood as referring to caste hierarchy rather than the broader spiritual or religious framework of Hinduism. He said the controversy surrounding Udhayanidhi Stalin’s earlier remarks stemmed from this contextual interpretation, asserting that the minister’s comments were directed at caste structures rather than religious belief or worship practices.

Amplifying these remarks, Lakshmi Ramachandran shared the video clip on social media and voiced support for Chidambaram’s position. She stated that “Sanatanam in Tamil Nadu means caste hierarchy” and said she had articulated this interpretation across English television debates.

In her post, she also referenced Udhayanidhi Stalin’s family background, noting that his mother is a devout and practising Hindu, and questioned why he would call for the abolition of a faith closely followed within his own household, suggesting his remarks were aimed at social discrimination rather than religion itself. She wrote, “Sanatanam in Tamilnadu means Caste Hierarchy. I have tried to explain this in every English channel I go to. Mr.@Udhaystalin‘s mother is a devout, practising Hindu. Why would he say he will abolish a faith that is so dear to his own mother?”

The renewed discussion has also revived attention on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s September 2023 speech at a conference titled “Eradicate Sanatana Dharma Conference.” At that event, he had called for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma, comparing it to diseases such as dengue and malaria, and argued that certain social practices required elimination rather than reform.

“Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. Same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciations to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting.“, DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said.

He also further went on to say “What is Sanatanam? The name Sanatanam itself comes from Sanskrit. Sanatanam is opposed to equality and social justice. What is the meaning of Sanatanam? Eternal or something that can’t be changed. Something that can’t be questioned. That is the meaning of Sanatanam.”

It is noteworthy that in the backdrop of this controversy in September 2023, Lakshmi Ramachandran was among those Congress leaders who publicly supported DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin following this controversial call to “eradicate Sanatana Dharma”.

Defending his remarks, she stated that “Sanathanam” in the Tamil Nadu context referred to caste hierarchy and what she described as hate-driven, casteist Hindutva. Her comments aligned with other state Congress leaders who argued that Udhayanidhi’s speech targeted social oppression rather than religious belief.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR