Tamil Nadu DMK MP A Raja has caused a stir by comparing Sanatan Dharma, a Hindu philosophy, to HIV and leprosy. Speaking in Chennai, Raja stated that his party colleague, Udhayanidhi Stalin, may have been too gentle in his comparison of this philosophy with diseases like malaria, dengue, and coronavirus. Raja claimed that diseases like leprosy and HIV were regarded with disgust in the past and should be considered a stigma. These remarks prompted strong condemnation from the BJP, who labeled them outrageous and vitriolic. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticized Raja’s comments, accusing the INDIA alliance of Hinduphobia and mental bankruptcy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response to the controversy, urged his party colleagues to respond appropriately to those maligning Sanatan Dharma. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, at a press conference in Patna, criticized the Congress leadership for maintaining silence on the controversial remarks about Hinduism made by some party members and their ally, DMK. He questioned whether a decision was made to denigrate Hindus during the recent meeting of the INDIA bloc in Mumbai.
A Raja, undeterred by the backlash, challenged PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to a debate on Sanatan Dharma. He invited them to bring their sankaracharyas, while he promised to come prepared with books written by Ambedkar and Periyar. Raja expressed his willingness to engage in a debate on the subject.
