Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.
Credit: PTI Photo
Chennai: Terming as “completely false” and “unbecoming of his position” Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s charge that the rights of Hindus are being snatched away in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday said the truth is that the intention of “a few people” to create riots and divisions within the society has not succeeded in the state.
Stalin also said the 2026 elections will decide whether Tamil Nadu should be governed by those from the state (DMK) or people from Delhi (AIADMK-BJP) alliance “who have no connection with us” and claimed that voting for the AIADMK alliance means the BJP will rule Tamil Nadu.
Addressing a government function in Dindigul in southern Tamil Nadu, Stalin tore into Shah for his statement and went on to say that the DMK, after coming to power in 2021, conducted consecration ceremonies for about 4,000 ancient temples, and reclaimed 7,655 acres of land worth Rs 7,701 crore belonging to 997 temples.
“Our government respects the faith of everyone and protects their religious rights. It is undignified for the Home Minister to say that Hindus' rights are being snatched away in Tamil Nadu. To be honest, the intentions of those who want to incite riots and create divisions have not succeeded in Tamil Nadu. As long as I am here, it will never happen,” he added.
He also said the Home Minister didn’t leave Tamil Nadu after “spreading defamation” but also spoke the truth by asking people whether they want Narendra Modi’s rule in Tamil Nadu.
“That is exactly what we say too. The 2026 election is to decide whether we should rule Tamil Nadu or let people from Delhi, who have no connection to us, rule it. This is a challenge to the self-respect of Tamils. We don't need to explain that voting for the AIADMK alliance means BJP will rule Tamil Nadu. Amit Shah has confessed this,” the Chief Minister said.
Shah had on January 4 slammed the Stalin government over “atrocities” on Hindus. He alleged Hindu forms of worship were being “insulted,” and claimed that during the Ayodhya Ram Temple bhoomi puja, an “unannounced curfew was imposed” in the state.
“Their senior leaders call Sanatan Dharma dengue, malaria. Hindu processions and visarjan (immersion of idols of Hindu deities) have been stayed. I want to tell Stalin; you have broken the constitutional ethos by committing atrocities against Hindus,” he had then said.