Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 24 : BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Sunday came down heavily on the Kerala government and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on the reported invitation to the DMK leader for an international convention of Ayyappa devotees in Kerala next month.
She said that by inviting Stalin to the Ayyappa devotees' conclave is the highest hypocrisy, as he has not accepted any invitation from the Hindu faith in Tamil Nadu, his own state. She further alleged that MK Stalin and his son have repeatedly insulted the Hindu sentiments.
Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "Inviting Stalin, for the Ayyappa devotees' conclave, is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin has accepted it. He has not accepted any invitation from the Hindu faith in Tamil Nadu, his own state... They repeatedly insult the Hindu sentiments... His son said Sanatana Dharma is like a virus; it should be crushed like dengue... Stalin has not gone to any temple; there are more than 35,000 temples in Tamil Nadu...".
"Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan may be ignorant about Stalin, but how can he accept the invitation?... Stalin is a Periyarist, and by inviting him, they are insulting the Ayyappa devotees. They think anything can be done for politics... It is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin should apologise to the Hindu faith...", Soundararajan said.
Earlier today, BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also accused Pinarayi Vijayan and MK Stalin of disrespecting the Hindu faith and the sacred traditions of Sabarimala.
The remarks came in response to reports that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government in Kerala has invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for an Ayyappa Sangamam, a religious event to be held in Pampa, Kerala, in September.
Chandrasekhar labelled it as a "drama" aimed at "fooling people" and demanded public apologies from both leaders for their alleged insults to Hindus and Ayyappa devotees.
In a post on X, Chandrasekhar wrote, "This is a clear message to @pinarayivijayann, @mkstalin from all the karyakartas of BJP all over and Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Both of you have, over the years, harmed and insulted Sabarimala, Ayappa bhakts and the Hindu faith. Pinarayi Vijayan has imprisoned many Ayyappa bhakts, cases against many more, inflicted police violence against Ayyappa bhakts and done everything to violate and insult the sacred traditions of Sabarimala. Stalin and his useless dynastic son have repeatedly insulted Hindus and referred to the Hindu faith as a virus, amongst other things".
"Let it be known to both Pinarayi and Stalin - the only way they can take part in Ayappa Sangamam is if they apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala Ayappa Bhakts. Pinarayi Vijayan must withdraw all cases, apologise to those bhakts who were jailed and seek forgiveness from Lord Ayyappa for violating Sabarimala traditions. Stalin and his useless heir Udaynidhi must apologise to Hindus and seek forgiveness if they wish to come to Kerala. Without this, if Stalin or Pinarayi try and misuse Sabarimala bhakts or their faith and attend this program, every karyakarta of @BJP4Keralam will come out and resist this," Chandrasekhar said in his X post.