Sanatana Dharma row | Panneerselvam calls Udhayanidhi’s remarks an attempt to redirect dissatisaction with government

AIADMK's Edappadi & Panneerselvam criticize Udhayanidhi's remarks on Sanatana Dharma & DMK's failure to address public dissatisfaction. V.K. Sasikala questions govt's construction of speed-breakers, heavy penalties for traffic violations & lack of safe roads.

Echoing the position of the AIADMK’s general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on the issue of Sanatana Dharma, the  party’s former Deputy Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam, on Wednesday, dubbed the recent remarks of Tamil Nadu Sports and Youth Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on this subject, an attempt to deflect the “direction of dissatisfaction” of the public towards the T.N. government. 

AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, had, in Coimbatore, said Mr. Udhayanidhi’s remarks, that triggered a political row, were aimed at diverting the attention of the people from the failures of the DMK.

In a statement, Mr Panneerselvam said that when governments [both at the Centre and in States] were functioning as per the Constitution, it was unnecessary to raise the topic of Sanatana Dharma.  It was also condemnable “to talk of the abolition of what does not exist,” he contended adding that the ruling DMK would not be able to succeed in its bid to divert the public attention.

Meanwhile, in another statement, the party’s former interim general secretary, V.K. Sasikala, referred to reports of the construction of speed-breakers on State highways, major district roads and interior roads that were not in consonance with the norms of the Indian Roads Congress.  This had led to questions about the safety of riders of two-wheelers, she said. Many road accidents were taking place and several had been injured because of the faulty design of the speed-breakers, she claimed. 

While “not being attentive” to such issues, the State government was “robbing” people in the name of heavy penalties for traffic violations, which was “condemnable,” Ms Sasikala said, calling upon the government to ensure safe and good quality roads were provided to people.