Udhayanidhi tells AIADMK to clarify stand on Sanatan
Chennai (PTI): DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday demanded to know the stand of principal opposition AIADMK on the Sanatan Dharma since former Chief Minister and Dravidian ideologue C N Annadurai had staunchly opposed it.
Udhayanidhi said he has not spoken on Sanatan what icons "Periyar E V Ramasamy, B R Ambedkar and Annadurai had not spoken," underscoring that his views only reflected the reformist, social justice ideology of such stalwarts.
Reiterating his allegation that the BJP is only involved in "spreading fake news," the minister demanded to know the stand of the main opposition AIADMK, an ally of the BJP, on the issue.
"Their party's name has Anna's name and no one spoke more against Sanatan than Anna and I would like to know their (AIADMK) opinion; if you meet AIADMK leaders please ask their view," he told reporters here.
AIADMK chief and former Chief Minister Edppadi K Palaniswami had said days ago that Udhayanidhi's Sanatan remark was just a drama and tactic to divert attention from a host of real issues faced by the people.
Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar had said that all religions must be respected and denigrating a religion is wrong.
Jayakumar pointed out that Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani had said that Sanatan Dharma and Hindu religion are one and the same.
Founder of the DMK, Annadurai is popularly known as Anna (elder brother) and he was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during 1967-69.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RCB pip CSK by two runs in last-ball IPL thriller
Bengaluru: Ayush Mhatre's 94 and Ravindra Jadeja's 77 not out went in vain as Royal Challengers Bengaluru pipped Chennai Super Kings by two runs in their IPL match here on Saturday.
Chasing 214, CSK scored 211 for 5 in their 20 overs.
Mhatre scored a 48-ball 94 with five sixes and nine fours while adding 114 runs with Jadeja (77 not out off 45 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s) for the second wicket.
For RCB, Lungi Ngidi returned with figures of 3/30.
Earlier, half-centuries from Jacob Bethell (55), Virat Kohli (62) and Romario Shepherd (53 not out) took RCB to 213 for five.
While Bethell and Kohli put on 97 runs for the opening wicket to set a platform, Shepherd blasted four fours and six sixes to make 53 not out off only 14 balls, recording the fastest fifty of the season and joint second-fastest overall.
For CSK, Matheesha Pathirana found his rhythm and lengths to return 3-0-36-3.
Brief scores:
RCB: 213 for 5 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 55, Virat Kohli 62, Romario Shepherd 53 not out; Matheesha Pathirana 3/36).
CSK: 211 for 5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 94, Ravindra Jadeja 77 not out; Lungi Ngidi 3/30).
