DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, coming out in support of writer Perumal Murugan, said on his Facebook account that Tamils had a proud history of tolerance and respect for emotions and values of all cultures and literature.
Healthy debates had taken place in Tamil Nadu for thousands of years on various subjects, including religion and social issues. “We have never been afraid to have healthy debates and open discussions about the role of religion or caste in our society,” he said. While respecting the sensitivity of others, Tamils had remained strong and united to uphold an individual’s right to expression, enshrined in the Constitution. “We neither resort nor support violence in the name of Hinduism or Christianity or Islam or atheism. We encourage debates and discontents in democratic forums,” he said. The DMK, as a democratic party with secular views, would forever stand against religious fundamentalism and unstintingly support Article 19 of the Constitution, guaranteeing the freedom of speech and expression, he said.
