'Will face defeat for...' Panneerselvam slams DMK govt amid row over Sanatana Dharma

News Summary (Chennai):

• O Panneerselvam criticizes DMK for using 'Sanatana Dharma' diversion tactic.
• Predicts DMK's defeat in upcoming Assembly elections due to government failures.
• Condemns Udhayanidhi Stalin's call to eradicate Sanatana Dharma.
• Stalin compares Sanatan Dharma to diseases and advocates its elimination.
• Panneerselvam calls on DMK to reflect on their commitment to equality and social justice.

Amid a nationwide row, that erupted after Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma, expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam on Wednesday said that DMK will face defeat in the next Assembly elections for using 'Sanatana Dharma' to divert the people from their government failure in the state. 

"I strongly condemn the DMK government for using 'Sanatana Dharma' to divert the people from their government failure in the state. DMK formed the government by saying 'Vidiyalai Nokki' (Towards Dawn) but they are taking people to a frustrated state. In the next election, DMK will face the defeat for sure" O Panneerselvam said in a statement.

"It is highly condemnable that DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's speech where he says he is to eradicate Sanatana Dharma which does not even exist now. As governments are functioning under the Indian Constitution it is unnecessary to speak about Sanathanam. DMK which speaks about equality firstly has to see whether equality is there in their party," the statement added. 

Earlier, while addressing a gathering of people at the 'Anti-Santana Conference', Stalin compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like Dengue, Malaria, and Coronavirus and said it could not be opposed but rather should be eradicated.

"Rather than opposing Sanata, it should be eradicated," he said, adding that "the name Sanatan is from Sanskrit. It is against social justice and equality." Lashing out at the ruling party further, Panneerselvam said that DMK which speaks about equality should introspect first.

(With ANI inputs)