'My party is not anti-Hindu', insists DMK chief MK Stalin at Arakkonam; blames media 'miscreants'

"DMK is not an anti-Hindu party", said DMK chief M K Stalin at a poll rally at Arakkonam Lok Sabha Constituency. He blamed 'miscreants' in the media for portraying his party as an outfit which is an ‘enemy of Hindus.’

The Dravidian party's chief said it while describing his party nominee for the Arakkonam Lok Sabha election, S Jagathrakshakan. He said that Jagathrakshakan is not only a deeply spiritual man who but also an able politician. Highlighting his role, he said that he spent his money during his previous tenure as MP to renovate hundreds of temples in Arakkonam, besides developing infrastructure and undertaking other welfare initiatives.

"Jagathrakshakan has another specialty. He is a deeply spiritual person. Some are even today criticising DMK as an enemy of the Hindus. Are you saying this even after seeing people like him”?

Stalin, in his clarification, went on to say that his wife worships at temples every day and added that he had never prevented her from visiting temples since it was her wish. He also added that when he took over as party chief last year, he categorically stated at the general council that he would be for all religions and against none; that his party would be on the side of all religions and not discriminate on the basis of caste or religion.

He cited a dialogue written by his father and former DMK chief, the late M Karunanidhi, from a 1952 Tamil film Parasakthi:

“We are not against temples, our principle is that it should not become a camp of the wicked,” Stalin reinforced his stance.  

His clarification came days before the Lok Sabha elections begin in Tamil Nadu. The state is gathering eyeballs in this year’s election becasue it is the first Lok Sabha elections after the demise of its veterans, AIADMK’s Jayalalitha and DMK’s Karunanidhi. While the AIADMK will contest the election with the BJP, the DMK will fight in an alliance with the Congress. Both the national parties are junior partners in their respective alliances.

Tamil Nadu has over the decades seen many celebrities - especially film-stars - make it to politics. Despite it being the case, Rajnikant who was about to launch his party, and Kamal Haasan who launched his new party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) are not contesting the general elections. 

(With inputs from PTI)