Amit Shah Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Lokmarg

Shah Urges Tribal Youth To Help Eradicate Naxalism

By LokMarg 18th October 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday interacted with 200 tribal youth under the Tribal Youth Exchange Program (TYEP) in the national capital and appealed to them to play an important role in eradicating the idea of Naxalism from the country as the ideology is against the development and bright future.

During his interaction with the tribal youth, the Home Minister said a lot of opportunities are available for people of tribal community now, but naxalism is creating hurdles in the way of a bright future for the youth.

Shah said that Left Wing Extremists and their ideology are against the country’s development and bright future.

He said that those who do not want mobile towers, roads and other essential facilities in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, are creating hurdles in the way of a bright future for the youth.

The Minister said that violence cannot provide jobs and that it is necessary to join the mainstream of society for the development and creation of basic infrastructure.

The Home Minister later appealed to the tribal youth, saying they should “play an important role in eradicating the idea of Left Wing Extremism from the country.”

“It is the responsibility of the tribal youth to neither move on the wrong path nor allow others to do so. Tribal youth should tell everyone to come back home and inform them that the country is progressing in every field and there are ample opportunities for the tribals in every field,” Shah said.

He said that birthplace is not important, but the work a person has done in life is important, and that wealth, knowledge and respect can only be achieved through hard work.

Shah mentioned it is a matter of pride that a tribal woman, Droupadi Murmu, is the President of India, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to build 10 tribal museums across the country at a cost of Rs 200 crore in the memory of the tribal freedom fighters who sacrificed everything in the country’s freedom struggle.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been running the TYEP for the last 15 years. The programme is being run through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Under this programme, young men and women of the tribal community from the interior areas most affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) are taken on a tour to major cities and metros across the country.

The main objectives of this programme are promoting the aspirations of the youth in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, countering the propaganda against the government being spread by Naxals, informing the youth of tribal areas about the development activities and industrial progress and to sensitize them about the rich cultural heritage of India.

Deepening the confidence in the democratic system in these areas, spreading awareness about major development and welfare schemes among the youth of the tribal community and developing an emotional bond between youth belonging to the tribal community and their peer groups in other parts of the country are among other aims of the event.

In the Tribal Youth Exchange Programme, 25,880 youngsters from the tribal community participated from 2006-07 to 2022-23. Out of these, 20,700 youth have participated in the last nine years from 2014-15 to 2022-23, and 10,200 youth participated in the last four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23.

This year 5,000 young men and women are participating in TYEP. Earlier, 2,000 participants were taking art in this programme every year, which was increased to 4,000 in August 2019 and further to 5,000 participants per year in 2022.

In this programme, constitutional authorities, senior government officials, outstanding achievers in sports, industry, arts and other role models are invited to interact with the youth.

Apart from this, industry exposure trips, activities under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, speech competitions, skill development, career guidance, exposure to sports events, visits to the camps of security forces, and cultural programs are also organised.

Further, when these youngsters return to their native places, a programme is organized whereby they share their experiences with other youth and residents of their area.

Under TYEP, this year youth are being taken on a tour to major cities and metros across the country in 25 groups. Each group will have 200 young men and women from the interior areas most affected by Left Wing Extremism.

Three groups are visiting the national capital New Delhi this year. The first group is visiting Delhi from October 15- 21 and includes 140 participants from Bijapur, Sukma, Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Narayanpur and Rajnandgaon of Chhattisgarh and 60 participants from Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Shah Joins ‘Kesariya Garba’ Festivities In Gandhinagar

By LokMarg 16th October 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the ‘Kesariya Garba’ event in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on the first day of the Navratri festival on Sunday.

The program was organised by the Sahay Foundation in Gandhinagar.

Meanwhile, the foundation also presented the Union Home Minister with a wooden model of the under-construction Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya.

Amit Shah was in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar as part of his three-day tour to the state that began on Friday.

On Saturday, he joined the spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad to witness the World Cup clash between India and Pakistan and cheered the Indian team as it scored a magnificent victory.

He also interacted with the children of ‘Anganwadi’ centres in his Lok Sabha constituency.

Taking to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Shah wrote, “Today I went to a gaming zone with the children of Anganwadi centres of my Lok Sabha constituency. Here, the children enjoyed playing their favourite games. As an MP, it is my endeavour to ensure that the children of Anganwadi centres in my Lok Sabha constituency get all the possible facilities and happiness that children from affluent families get”.

On Sunday, the Union Home Minister addressed a gathering in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district after inaugurating the “Samau Shaheed Memorial” built at a cost of Rs 2 crore as a tribute to 12 revolutionaries from Mansa who were hanged by the Britishers during the revolt of 1857.

He also inaugurated a library.

The Shaheed Memorial in Samau village will be a sacred place for promoting patriotism, he said.

The Gandhinagar MP said that he is a bibliophile and that books have played a crucial role in building his personality.

“Books have played a special role in building my personality. The future of a country is formed in a library and it gives an opportunity to know one’s language and culture,” the Union Home Minister said. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

KCR’s Only Goal Is To Make His Son CM: Shah

By LokMarg 10th October 2023

A day after the announcement of the assembly poll dates in five states, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday addressed ‘Jana Garjana Sabha’ public event in Telangana’s Adilabad saying that CM KCR goal is to make his son KTR the Chief Minister.

“The CM (K. Chandrashekar Rao) has just one goal – to make his son KTR the Chief Minister. Our goal is to provide employment and education to every tribal youth in Adilabad and water in the farms of farmers,” Amit Shah said while addressing a ‘Jana Garjana Sabha’ public event in Telangana’s Adilabad.

Continuing his attack against the KCR government, Amit Shah asked the public whether they want to bring KCR government once again or government of lotus (Kamal ki sarkaar).

“Election Commission announced the dates for the Telangana election yesterday. Tell me do you want to bring KCR government once again? Do you want to bring the ‘Lotus government’ under the leadership of PM Modi? Your answer says that BJP government is going to be formed here on 3rd December,” Amit Shah said.

He further promised that if BJP forms the government, all districts of the state will celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17.

Attacking Congress, Shah said that when elections come, Congress people come wearing new clothes.

“Rahul Gandhi has also started visiting here. I would like to ask him – when there was UPA Government, in 2013-14 what was the budget for tribal welfare? Only Rs 24,000 Crores. By 2023-24, PM Modi increased the budget for tribal welfare to Rs 1,24,000 Crores,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leaving no stone unturned for the upcoming Assembly polls in Telangana.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that the Telangana Assembly polls are scheduled to be held on November 17. The counting of votes will be done on December 3, the poll body added.

Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest between the BJP, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Congress in the upcoming assembly election.

In the previous Assembly election held in 2018, BRS managed to win 88 seats out of 119 and had a dominant vote share of 47.4 per cent. Congress came at a distant second with 19 seats. Its vote share was 28.7 per cent (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Left Wing Extremism Will Be Totally Eliminated By 2025: Amit Shah

By LokMarg 6th October 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and Naxalism will be eliminated in the next “two years”.

Amit Shah’s statement came while chairing the review meeting on Left Wing Extremism here in the national capital in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, all heads of all the Naxal affected states.

Addressing the participants of other Naxal-affected states and senior officials from the Centre and the state government, Shah mentioned that “lowest violence and deaths in LWE areas was recorded in 2022 in last four decades.”

The meeting, which aimed at preparing a roadmap to completely root out the Left Wing Extremism from the country and review the actions taken so far, was also attended by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai; Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Choubey; and Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka and Director Generals of National Investigation Agency, Sashastra Seema Bal, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, National Security Guard and Indo-Tibetan Border Police also attended the meeting along with Home Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of naxal affected States.

Initiating the meeeting, Bhalla welcomed all dignitaries and briefed them about the meeting.

The last LWE meeting occured in September 2021.

Earlier in the day, before joining the meeting, Home Minister Shah took to ‘X’, formerly Twitter, to share his views and termed Naxalism a “curse to humanity”, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government is committed to uprooting Naxalism in all its forms.

“Naxalism is a curse to humanity and we are resolved to uproot it in all its forms. I look forward to chairing the Review Meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in New Delhi today to further our efforts to fulfil PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision of an LWE-free nation,” Shah posted on ‘X’.

The meeting, which is held at certain intervals, aims at fulfilling the Central government’s commitment to the development of left-wing extremist-affected states as well as making an LWE-free nation.

A lot of success can be witnessed in the last few years in this sector due to the joint efforts of the Centre and the States in cracking down on Left Wing Extremism with an extreme fall in naxal incidents.

The central government, however, determined that unless the country gets rid of the problem of Left Wing Extremism completely, the full development of the country and the states affected by it is not possible.

Left-wing extremism has been a significant security challenge for many decades. Though primarily a State subject, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has promulgated a ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ since 2015 to address the Left Wing Extremism menace holistically and the progress and the situation is being monitored rigorously and this Policy consists of a multi-pronged approach.

The significant features of the policy are zero tolerance towards violence coupled with a big push to developmental activities so that benefits of development reach the poor and vulnerable in the affected areas.

Pursuant to the Policy, the Ministry of Home Affairs is supporting the State Governments in Capacity Building and strengthening of Security Apparatus by deployment of CAPF Battalions, provision of helicopters and UAVs and sanction of India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) and Special India Reserve Battalions (SIRBs). Funds are also provided under the Modernization of Police Force (MPF), Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) for the modernization and training of State Police.

For the development of Left Wing Extremism-affected States, the government of India has taken several developmental initiatives which include sanctioning 17,600 kilometers of road. To improve telecom connectivity new mobile towers are being installed in affected districts. For financial inclusion of the people several post offices, bank branches, ATMs and banking correspondents have been opened.

Special focus is also being given to the opening of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).

The fight against the Left Wing Extremism menace is now in a crucial stage and the government is optimistic of reducing the menace to an insignificant level at the earliest. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Shah Chairs Review Meet On Left Wing Extremism

By LokMarg 6th October 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday chaired the review meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren also attended the meeting aimed at preparing a roadmap to completely root out the Left Wing Extremism or Naxalism from the country and review the actions taken so far.

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai; Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Choubey; and Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also took part in the meeting.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhala, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka and Director Generals of NIA, SSB, BSF, CRPF, BSF and NSG also attended the meeting along with Home Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of naxal affected states.

Initiating the meeeting, Bhalla welcomed all dignitaries and briefed them about the meeting.

The last LWE meeting occured in September 2021.

Earlier in the day, before joining the meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah took to ‘X’, formerly Twitter, to share his views and termed Naxalism a “curse to humanity”, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government is committed to uprooting Naxalism in all its forms.

A lot of success can be witnessed in the last few years in this sector due to the joint efforts of the Centre and the states in cracking down on Left Wing Extremism with an extreme fall in naxal incidents.

Left-wing extremism has been a significant security challenge for many years. Though primarily a State subject, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has promulgated a ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ since 2015 to address the Left Wing Extremism menace holistically and the progress and the situation is being monitored rigorously and this Policy consists of a multi-pronged approach.

For the development of Left Wing Extremism-affected states, the government of India has taken several developmental initiatives which include sanctioning 17,600 kilometres of road. To improve telecom connectivity in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, new mobile towers are being installed. For financial inclusion of the people in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, several post offices, bank branches, ATMs and banking correspondents have been opened.

Special focus is also being given to the opening of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).

The fight against the Left Wing Extremism menace is now in a crucial stage and the government is optimistic about reducing the menace to an insignificant level at the earliest. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Success Of G20, Chandrayaan-3 Filled India With New Energy

By LokMarg 29th September 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that democracy is very deep-rooted in the country and that has been the biggest achievement as a nation in the last 75 years.

Addressing the 118th annual session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at Vigyan Bhawan here, the Union Minister has also congratulated India’s G20 presidency and the success of ISRO’s moon mission-Chandrayaan.

“G20, the success of Chandrayaan-3, Mission Aditya L-1 and the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill, all these events have filled the country with new energy… The country has completed the journey of 75 years and in the past 75 years, we have made several achievements in every sector… We have proved ourselves at the international forum,” Shah said.

The union minister further said, “In the 100th year of our Independence, we want a country that is ahead in all sectors.”

Shah also congratulated the team of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) for choosing the theme “Rising India: Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai,” for the summit.

Shah said previously the ‘Make in India’ programme was mocked but now the country is a dream destination in the production sector.

“Make in India programme, was mocked earlier, today we are the dream destination in the production sector. In the next 10 years, India will be the best destination for students across the world,” Shah said.

He further said that there is democracy and teamwork (in-country), besides clarity on policy formulation under PM Modi’s leadership.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has been working as a catalyst for the promotion of Indian industry, trade and entrepreneurship for the past 118 years. It is a forward-looking, proactive and dynamic PAN-India apex organization.

As a partner in progress with industry and government, PHDCCI works at the grassroots level with strong national and international linkages for propelling progress, harmony and integrated development of the Indian economy. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Women Empowerment a Matter of Principle For BJP: Amit Shah

By LokMarg 20th September 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that unlike the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), other parties see women’s empowerment as a “political issue and a tool for vote bank politics”.

During the discussion over the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, Shah further said that for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women’s empowerment is an issue of “principles and beliefs.”

“For some parties, the issue of women empowerment can be a political agenda or a slogan to win elections. However, for my party and my leader Narendra Modi, women empowerment is not a political issue, but it is a matter of principles and beliefs,” Shah said.

He further said that yesterday will be marked in history.

“Yesterday was Ganesh Chaturthi, it was the inauguration of the new Parliament and we introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament,” he added.

“The Women’s Reservation Bill is a mark of respect and the beginning of a new era,” the Minister added.

He added that Prime Minister Modi presented a vision of women-led progress at the recently concluded G-20 session.

Notably, Day 3 of the Parliament special session witnessed a debate on the women’s reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, while the Rajya Sabha discussed India’s space journey focusing on Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing on the moon.

The Women’s Reservation Bill that seeks to provide a 33 percent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was introduced in the Lok Sabha today in the ongoing special session of Parliament and will be taken up for discussion on Wednesday when the House will meet at 11 am.

The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the Women Reservation Bill.

On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’.

In 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and it was passed in 2010. However, the Bill was never taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha.

The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21 government sources said.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to introduce three new articles and one new clause in the Constitution.

However, prior to Shah, Congress MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP was trying to distract people from the caste census and the Adani issue.

“Every time the Opposition raises the issue of caste census, the BJP tries to create a distraction, or to a new event so that the OBC community and the people of India look the other way,” he said while slamming the Centre for employing diversionary tactics.

Gandhi further asked the government to release the data of the Caste census done by us or “we will release it”.

Rahul Gandhi also said that the caste census is the only way to ensure representation for OBCs. He said that despite forming a huge chunk of the population, they control and define only 5 per cent of India’s budget. “This is an insult and a shame to the OBC community,” he added. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Hyderabad Liberation Day Wasn’t Celebrated Due To Appeasement: Shah

By LokMarg 17th September 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the Hyderabad Liberation Day celebration known as ‘Mukti Diwas’ on Sunday and paid tribute to the brave soldiers who fought against Nizam’s army and Razakars (armed supporters of Nizam’s rule).

The Home Minister hoisted the national flag during the parade ground event.

While addressing the event, Shah hit out at the previous governments in the country and said that no government celebrated the Hyderabad Liberation Day due to appeasement policies.

“For 75 years, no government organised any event to introduce this great day to our youth. Because of the policy of appeasement, they were scared and did not celebrate Telangana Liberation Day. It is unfortunate that even after such a big incident, some parties were hesitant to celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day due to vote bank politics. I want to say to those parties that people turn their backs on them who forget their history,” he said.

“After independence from the British, Hyderabad was ruled by the cruel Nizam for 399 days. These 399 days were more difficult for the people here than the tortures of hell. Respecting the sentiments of the people of this region, Sardar Patel liberated this region on the 400th day. The people of Hyderabad endured immense suffering during the 399-day rule of the Nizam. That is why Sardar Patel said that independent Hyderabad is like cancer in the stomach of India and it cannot be resolved without operation. That’s why he liberated Hyderabad through police action,” he added.

Highlighting the contributions of the Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Union Minister said that it was he who decided for police action in Hyderabad and forced the Nizam’s Razakars’ army to surrender without shedding a drop of blood.

“Had it not been for the iron man Sardar Patel, this vast area would not have been liberated so soon. It was Sardar Patel who, following the principle of ‘Nation First’, took the decision of police action in Hyderabad and forced the Nizam’s Razakars’ army to surrender without shedding a drop of blood,” he said.

“I salute all the brave citizens who took part in the Hyderabad liberation struggle. I pay my heartfelt tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in this struggle and also pay my respects to the iron man Sardar Patel who merged this vast land of Hyderabad, Kalyan-Karnataka and Marathwada into the Indian Union,” Shah added.

“Many organizations struggled in this movement. Be it Arya Samaj, Hindu Mahasabha, Vande Mataram movement of Osmania University or the songs and movements of the people’s struggle of farmers of Bidar, but Sardar Saheb gave the final form to the struggle of all these,” he said.

Further, Amit Shah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting a new tradition of celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day and said that the India that was envisioned by the freedom fighters is being built under the leadership of PM Modi.

“I thank the Prime Minister for starting a new tradition of celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17, by the Ministry of Culture. Through this, the young generation will be made aware of the struggle of the martyrs of this great movement,” he said.

“The country has become the 5th largest economy in the world, India became the first country to reach the South Pole of the Moon and through G 20, PM Modi did the work of making India’s culture, food and art famous all over the world. Today is Prime Minister Modi’s birthday. The India that was envisioned by the freedom fighters is being built in the last 9 years under the leadership of PM Modi” he added. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Amit Shah Extends Wishes On Prakash Parv

By LokMarg 16th September 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday extended his wishes on the occasion of Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, saying “these teachings will always guide us towards a better society by encouraging the basic principles of peace and harmony”.

“Best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji teaches the world about harmony and dedication towards humanity. These teachings will always guide us towards a better society by encouraging the basic principles of peace and harmony,” Shah posted on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.

Prakash Parv is observed in honour and remembrance of Guru Granth Sahib. On this day, Sikhs all over the world send greetings to one another and vow to follow the path and teachings of Guru Granth Sahib.

Gurudwaras across India and the world are lit up with beautiful lights and decorations. In addition to this, a ‘Langar’ is organised in every gurudwara, and Sikhs perform community service as well. In some places, the ‘Nagar Prabhat Pheri’ is also organised, wherein Sikhs join in with great fervour and enthusiasm.

During Prakash Parv, Ardas is done, and prayers are offered in the Gurdwaras. A special bhajan-kirtan is also performed on this occasion. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Shah Flays Stalin’s Son’s Remarks On ‘Sanatana Dharma’ In Rajasthan

By LokMarg 3rd September 2023

Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused leaders of DMK and their INDIA alliance partner Congress of talking about ending “Sanatana Dharma”, while hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for “comparing Hindu organisations with proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba”.

Hitting back at the DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remark that ‘Sanatan Dharma’ should be eradicated and not merely opposed, Shah said, “For the last two days, the INDIA alliance has been insulting ‘Sanatana Dharma’. Leaders of DMK and Congress are talking about ending ‘Sanatana Dharma’ just for vote bank politics. This is not the first time they have insulted our ‘Sanatana Dharma”.

Shah addressed a gathering in poll-bound Rajasthan after flagging off the party’s second Parivartan Yatra.

Lashing out at the Opposition, he recalled former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also said that the first right on the budget is of the minorities, “but we say that the first right is for the poor, tribals, Dalits and backwards”.

“Today, the Congress party says that if Modi ji will win, Sanatana will rule. Rahul Gandhi said that the Hindu organisations are more dangerous than Lashkar-e-Taiba”.

The top BJP leader took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for “comparing Hindu organisations with Lashkar-e-Taiba”.

Addressing a conference in Chennai on Saturday, the minister for Sports and Youth Affairs in the Tamil Nadu government railed against Sanatan Dharma, saying, “Few things cannot be opposed, they should only be abolished. We can’t oppose Dengue, mosquitoes, Malaria, or Corona, we have to eradicate them. In the same way, we have to eradicate Sanatana (Sanatan Dharma). Rather than merely opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated.”

In a scathing retort to the DMK leader over his remarks, Annamalai took to his official handle on X to post, “The only resolve that the Gopalapuram Family has is to accumulate wealth beyond the State GDP. Thiru @Udhaystalin, you, your father, or his or your idealogue have a bought-out idea from Christian missionaries & the idea of those missionaries was to cultivate * like you to parrot their malicious ideology.” (ANI)