Pa Ranjith stands by Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma: 'The growing hate is disturbing'

Filmmaker Pa Ranjith has expressed solidarity with actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has kicked up a huge political controversy with his comments on Sanatana Dharma.

Speaking at a recent event in Chennai, Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed that "Sanatana Dharma must be eradicated" to promote social justice and equality. These remarks sparked a massive row, with his political opponents accusing him of calling for violence against people who believe in Sanatana Dharma.

Pa Ranjith is a champion of the anti-caste movement

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Ranjith, who is one of the prominent voices in Tamil cinema, noted that Udhayanidhi hasn't said anything new that hasn't already been championed by the iconic leaders of the anti-caste movement.

"Minister Udhyanithi’s ( @UdhayStalin ) statement calling for abolishment of Santana Dharma is the core principle of anti-caste movement for centuries. The roots of inhumane practices in the name of caste and gender lies in the Sanatana Dharma. Revolutionary leader Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, anti-caste reformers such as Iyotheedass Panditar, Thantai Periyar, Mahatma Phule, Sant Ravidas have all advocate the same in their anti-caste ideology," Ranjith wrote on his Twitter account.

The filmmaker also slammed those who are "misappropriating" Udhayanidhi's comments and presenting them in the wrong context. "The malignant attitude of distorting the minister’s statement and misappropriating it as a call for genocide is unacceptable," he added.

Growing threats to Udhayanidhi Stalin

Since the controversy broke out and made headlines across the country, Udhayanidhi has come under a lot of attack. Notably, the chief priest of the Tapaswi Chawni temple of Ayodhya Paramhans Acharya announced a reward of Rs 10 crore for beheading Udhayanidhi for his comments on Sanatana Dharma. He has also been booked by the cops in Uttar Pradesh for the remarks.

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"The growing hate and hunt for the minister’s is very disturbing. I stand in support of Udhaynithi’s words calling for eradication of Sanatana Dharma to establish a society with social justice and equality. My solidarity to minister Udhaynithi Stalin!," Ranjith expressed his concern.