Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – G. Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, has strongly condemned the recent statements made by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin concerning Sanatana Dharma. Addressing a media conference in Tirupati, Reddy took exception to Stalin’s remarks, describing them as a continuation of an ‘assault’ on the ancient faith and a failure to learn from recent electoral outcomes.
Reddy suggested that the DMK’s stance on Sanatana Dharma had contributed to their poor performance in the recent elections. He asserted that Sanatana Dharma has endured for millennia, weathering invasions and rule by various powers, and that no individual or political party can eradicate it. He also drew attention to Udhayanidhi Stalin’s mother, Durga Stalin, who is known to visit temples, including those managed by the TTD, and urged the younger Stalin to take a lesson from her devotion.
Furthermore, Bhanu Prakash Reddy criticized the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, for his silence on the matter when the remarks were made in the Assembly. Reddy’s comments come amid a broader political controversy that has seen widespread criticism of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statements, with various political and religious figures denouncing his views.
This is not the first time Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on Sanatana Dharma have drawn criticism. In September 2023, BJP leaders, including G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, had previously lodged a police complaint against him, citing his comments as ignorant and politically motivated. At that time, Reddy, then a BJP spokesperson, had stated that such comments were made with an eye on minority votes and urged Stalin to apologize.
The TTD board member’s criticism highlights the sensitive nature of religious discourse in Indian politics and the strong reactions such statements can elicit from various sections of society. The TTD, responsible for managing one of the world’s wealthiest Hindu temples, often finds itself drawn into such public debates due to its prominent religious and cultural significance.
The Chenab Times News Desk