DMK is against Sanatan Dharma and it has been doing this for 70 years, said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slamming Tamil Nadu's ruling party over its top leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's controversial remark.

Speaking to NDTV, Sitharaman said, "The people in Tamil Nadu suffered. The rest of the country did not understand it because of a language barrier. It has always been like that.

"Now because of social media, you don't even need a translator to know what a minister is saying. It is not surprising. DMK has been doing it for 70 years. It's hypocrisy."

What did Stalin Jr. say about Sanatan Dharma?

In an address, Udhayanidhi, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, said as quoted by The Indian Express, "Some things cannot be opposed, they should be eradicated. Mosquitoes, dengue fever, malaria, and Corona cannot be opposed. They should be eradicated. So should Sanatan (Dharma)."

Udhayanidhi Stalin | Photo courtesy: Twitter/Udhayanidhi Stalin

The DMK minister said, "What did Sanatanam do to women? It prevented them from stepping out of the house, made them commit sati (self-immolation on their husband’s pyre), and shave their head and wear a white saree post their husband’s death. It also led to child marriages."

"While we think of introducing schemes to benefit our student’s education, fascists are coming up with schemes to stop them from achieving that because the principle of Sanatanam is that we shouldn’t study at all, and NEET is one fine example of that," he added.

Modi attacks INDIA alliance over 'Sanatan Dharma' remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition bloc, INDIA, accusing it of attempting to destroy the Sanatan Dharma.

PM Modi | Photo courtesy: PIB

Addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said, "A few groups are working to divide the country and society... They have come together to form an INDI alliance. They have also decided on a hidden agenda to attack India's culture.

"The INDI alliance has come with a resolution to end 'Sanatan' culture."