BJP leader Vijayvargiya slams INDIA alliance over Sanatan Dharma remarks
Gwalior (MP) (PTI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday accused INDIA alliance partners of attacking Sanatan Dharma through their remarks, and questioned the silence of Congress leaders over the issue.
Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who belongs to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), recently accused the Sanatan Hindu Dharma of promoting division and discrimination among people and called for its eradication. Another DMK leader A Raja likened Sanatan Dharma to leprosy and HIV.
DMK is a constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc. The remarks by these leaders kicked up a political row. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank Kharge, who is minister in Karnataka cabinet, also supported Stalin's statement.
Talking to reporters over the remarks by the DMK leaders, Vijayvargiya said the INDIA alliance partners have made an attack on Sanatan Dharma.
"I thought that the INDIA alliance would react to Udhayanidhi's 'Sanatan Dharma should be eradicated' remark, but Congress chief Kharge's son supported the statement within hours," he said.
Even Mughals and other rulers could not disturb the roots of Sanatan Dharma, Vijayvargiya said.
"Today the bugle of Sanatan is being heard all over the world. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has done the work of taking Sanatan to the entire world through celebration of International Yoga Day," he said.
On the one hand, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath holds sermons of Hindu seers, he is silent over 'eradicating Sanatan Dharma' remark. A dual character like this is not good, he said.
Responding to a question, Vijayvargiya alleged that Congress tried to disturb the social harmony of Gwalior-Chambal region in 2018 in order to win the elections, but people have understood now and not to fall in the Congress trap.
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Odisha: Three arrested for allegedly assaulting tribal women over conversion suspicion
Bhubaneshwar: A day after Christmas, on December 26, two tribal women were allegedly tied to a tree and beaten by a mob in the Remuna area of Odisha's Balasore district. The women, accused of attempting to convert a Hindu man to Christianity, were subjected to humiliation and violence, as captured in a viral video that brought the incident to light, reported The Wire.
The victims, identified as Subhasini Singh and Sukanti Singh, were reportedly targeted after visiting Chhankhanpur hamlet in Mukhura village. Subhasini, a Christian from Makhpada village in Nilgiri, allegedly came to meet Gobind Singh, a Hindu tribal man, with the intention of persuading him to convert to Christianity. Sukanti, a local resident and Hindu, was accused of facilitating the visit.
In the video, the women are seen tied to a tree, surrounded by a hostile crowd. One man's remarks accusing them of "destroying Hindu religion and culture" and chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Jai Shri Ram" underscore the mob's fury. Subhasini's face was smeared with a cake, which locals claimed had been brought to celebrate a religious conversion.
Subas Mallick, Inspector-in-Charge of Remuna police station, confirmed the incident and said the mob had also humiliated Gobind Singh for his alleged intent to convert. Four individuals, Bapin Nayak, Pitambar Biswal, Prashant Nayak, and Badal Panda—were detained in connection with the assault. Cases have been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) addressing assault and prevention of atrocities against scheduled tribes, as well as under the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, which prohibits forced or induced religious conversions.
However, police later released the detainees after they reportedly expressed regret and reached an "understanding" with the victims. Gobind Singh also allegedly apologized for his intent to change his faith. Despite this, two separate cases remain under investigation.
Reactions to the incident have highlighted concerns about rising vigilantism and threats to vulnerable communities. Odisha Congress spokesperson Amiya Pandab condemned the attack as a shameful reflection of the state’s law and order situation, particularly against tribal women. Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Latika Pradhan criticized what she called "vigilante justice," emphasizing that any alleged illegal conversions should be dealt with by law rather than mob action.
The incident has also reignited discussions about communal tensions in Odisha. Balasore, represented in the Lok Sabha by former Union Minister Pratap Sarangi, borders Mayurbhanj, the home district of President Draupadi Murmu, and Keonjhar, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi’s constituency. Both leaders are from tribal communities, underscoring the gravity of such incidents targeting vulnerable groups.
This case comes against the backdrop of Odisha’s history of communal violence, including the 2008 Kandhamal riots, which led to over 30 deaths and widespread displacement of Christians. Then-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, now leader of the opposition, severed ties with the BJP in 2009, citing concerns over communal discord.
As authorities probe the latest incident, it raises critical questions about the balance between protecting religious freedom and preventing vigilantism.
