Not against Ram Temple but building on razing a mosque: Udhayanidhi

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in Tamil Nadu, said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cannot agree that the Ram Temple is built by razing a mosque; otherwise, it has nothing against the building of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya

Quoting the late DMK patriarch K Karunanidhi, Udhayanidhi stated, "Kalaignar had already said, we are not against any religion, beliefs… We do not have an issue with the temple coming up there but we cannot accept that the one that was built was built by razing a mosque."

The minister's comments come in the wake of a controversy surrounding his remarks on Sanatan Dharma, where he was accused by the BJP of calling for the eradication of Hinduism's teachings and equating them with diseases such as "dengue, malaria, and Covid-19."

While addressing reporters after flagging off a torch relay at Anna Salai in Chennai for the upcoming DMK youth wing conference in Salem on January 21, Udhayanidhi assured that the event would be held in a grand fashion with Chief Minister M K Stalin in attendance.

The youth wing conference, previously postponed twice in December due to flooding in Chennai and other southern districts, is expected to draw a significant turnout.

"We expect at least 3-4 lakh members of the party’s youth wing to turn up for the event. Transportation, accommodation, and food facilities for people coming from other districts have been arranged. 'Maanila Urimaigal Meetpu Maanadu' (Retrieval of State Rights) is the theme of the conference," said Udhayanidhi.

The minister highlighted the separation of politics and spiritualism, echoing the sentiments of the DMK treasurer, TR Baalu, who had earlier urged not to link politics with spiritual matters.