DMK leader and orator Dindigul I. Leoni faced protests from Hindu groups in Sri Lanka following his public speeches, which were described by activists as anti-Hindu. The protests took place in late September 2025, coinciding with Leoni’s series of public appearances and cultural events across the country, including engagements confirmed via social media posts a few days ago.
According to reports, Hindu activists in Colombo alleged that Leoni repeatedly insulted Hinduism and its traditions, criticizing temples, sculptures, and worship practices. One protester, Raju Bhaskaran, who identified himself as a Hindu activist and devotee from Colombo, said that Leoni “comes and criticizes the entire culture of Hindus” and “sows anti-Hindu ideas” in his speeches.
Bhaskaran, speaking at the protest, explained that the activists’ intention was not to disrupt Leoni’s events, but to oppose his views. He stated that Hindus gathered in Sri Lanka to voice their opposition to the anti-Hindu content of Leoni’s speeches, calling for unity among Hindus globally. “All Hindus should fight together. That is why we came to Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that Hindu protests would be directed at Leoni wherever he spoke.
During the protest, Bhaskaran called on Hindus to rise against what he described as Leoni’s insults toward their faith, temples, and worship systems. “Come and whoever speaks against Hindus like this, we will come and fight. He even makes fun of our worship system, our art, our culture, which is more than ten thousand years old, even our temples, even our sculptures. He is making a satire. He is making fun of it,” he said.
The activist emphasized that the protest was focused solely on opposing Leoni’s statements rather than the individual himself. “We are not opposing him, but against his views. In fact, we consider him a good artist. Everyone is welcome. But we are here to raise our voices against his views,” Bhaskaran said, noting that the campaign against his speeches had been ongoing for three months and was visible on social media.
He urged that Leoni and other speakers avoid criticizing Hinduism in the future. “People from one religion criticize another religion, criticize the art, culture, and traditions of another religion, and this is why many problems arise in the country. That is why every religion has its own principles,” he said.
Bhaskaran also highlighted the role of organizations supporting Leoni’s events, such as Five Star Creation, accusing them of facilitating his speeches against Hindu beliefs. “It is time for everyone to think. We need to think about the respect and support given to Hindus by bringing such speakers like the disgraceful Leoni to Sri Lanka. This should be the last time. No one should come after this,” he said.
The protests in Colombo were marked by repeated chants urging Leoni to leave the country. “Let’s protect Hinduism. Leoni, get out. Hindus, we need unity. We all Hindus need unity,” activists reportedly shouted. Bhaskaran described the protests as a collective effort of Hindu youth and community members determined to resist what they termed anti-Hindu rhetoric.
The activists even taunted the people who went to attend the programme.
It is noteworthy that Leoni has made sexist and anti-Hindu speeches aplenty.
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