Kamal Haasan says Udhayanidhi Stalin ‘hounded’ for Sanatana Dharma remark

Coimbatore: Kamal Haasan, the head of Makkal Needhi Maiam, claimed on Friday that DMK leader and Minister for Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Udhayanidhi Stalin is being "hounded" because of his remark regarding Sanatana Dharma.

Speaking at a party meeting here, Haasan claimed that a "young child" was being attacked today because he had spoken Sanatana Dharma without mentioning Udhayanidhi, the BJP, or any other outfit.

Indicating that there is nothing new about the minister’s remark on Sanatana Dharma, the actor implied that several leaders of the Dravidian movement such as Udhayanidhi’s grandfather and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi have also spoken about it in the past.

Haasan said the extent of reformist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy’s anger against social ills can be understood from the leader’s life. He said people like himself understood the word ‘Sanatana’ only due to Periyar.

Though Periyar had been the administrator of a temple and had even performed puja while in Kashi, he gave up all that and dedicated his entire life in the service of people, Haasan said.

Neither the ruling DMK nor any other party can claim that Periyar belongs only to them; the entire state of Tamil Nadu should celebrate him as their leader, he said, adding that he himself has been one among those who honour Periyar.

Speaking about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said the BJP regime may attempt to even advance it according to their convenience.

With PTI inputs