DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Monday urged the State government not to allow the rath yatra of the Vishva Hindu Parishad in support of the Ram Temple in Tamil Nadu, saying it would disturb peace, communal harmony and law and order in the State.
In a statement here, he said that at a time when the Ram temple issue was pending before the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, the yatra would not only amount to contempt of court, but also be seen as a pressure tactic.
“If the yatra enters Tamil Nadu, the government should arrest those who are part of it and send them back to Uttar Pradesh. I strongly condemn the State government for granting permission for the yatra ,” he said.
Mr Stalin said it was unfortunate that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who had vowed to contain religious extremism at the recent district collectors’ conference, had allowed the rath yatra to save his government and Chief Ministership. “The BJP and its sister organisations are attempting to fuel religious extremism to get a toehold in Tamil Nadu. But they will not succeed in their attempt as ours is a land shaped by Periyar and Anna,” he added.
Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani too said the Tamil Nadu government should not allow the yatra as it would lead to disruption of peace in the State.
He accused the VHP of trying to turn a peaceful State like Tamil Nadu into a place of casteist and religious fundamentalism. “The State government should take note of the motion moved by the four MLAs and should not allow the yatra,” he said.
Meanwhile, R.K. Nagar MLA T.T.V. Dhinakaran condemned the Palaniswami-led government for “opening the State to religious fundamentalist forces.”
