New Delhi: On Monday, hundreds of Hindu priests gathered in New Delhi to stage a protest demanding action against leaders of the INDIA alliance who have made hate speeches against Sanatan Dharma in recent months. Various Hindu organizations, including the VHP, joined the ongoing protest. Approximately 300 to 400 prominent saints and mahants from various Hindu groups assembled in New Delhi to voice their protest against the repeated attacks on Sanatan Dharma and calls for its eradication by INDIA alliance leaders. The protesters carried posters with "Jai Sanatan Dharma" written on them and chanted slogans in support of Sanatan Dharma.
The protest initially convened at the Sarojini Nagar bus depot and then proceeded to march towards Tamil Nadu Bhawan in the National Capital to condemn the anti-Sanatan stance of the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government. The protesters also displayed effigies with pictures of several INDIA alliance leaders who had given hate speeches against Sanatan Dharma, including Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar and Tamil Nadu CM's son, Udhayanidhi Stalin. The angry protesters burned these effigies, emphasizing that they would not tolerate insults or disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma.
However, according to initial media reports, the police stated that they had not granted permission for the protesters to encircle Tamil Nadu Bhawan. They also took precautionary measures to prevent the march from reaching its intended protest location.
Narayan Giri Maharaj, President of Delhi Sant Mahamandal, expressed surprise at the silence of state governments on this issue. He said, "Even the Supreme Court has taken note of the hate speech by politicians against Sanatan Dharma. The language used by politicians against Sanatan Dharma creates animosity among communities, and strict action should be taken against such political leaders."
This development occurred a week after several saints organized a Dharma Sansad in Ayodhya on September 18. At the Dharma Sansad, the saints unanimously condemned recurrent hate speeches and attacks by INDIA alliance leaders against Sanatan Dharma and gave Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin a one-week ultimatum to apologize for his hate speech calling for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma. They announced that if Stalin Jr. did not apologize, all the saints and religious leaders of the country would march to Tamil Nadu and stage a protest there.
Additionally, the Dharma Sansad demanded the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on all those who have made inflammatory and hateful remarks against Sanatan Dharma, comparing it to diseases and calling for its eradication, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's son, Udhayanidhi Stalin. The Dharma Sansad and the recent protest are in response to repeated attacks and hate speeches against Sanatan Dharma by INDIA alliance leaders. Udhayanidhi Stalin equated Sanatan Dharma with diseases like Malaria and Corona, openly asserting that it should not be opposed but eradicated. DMK leader A Raja also compared Sanatan Dharma to HIV and leprosy, while Udayanidhi Stalin was milder in comparing it to dengue or malaria during the "Eradicate Sanatan Conference."
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