Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has responded firmly to veiled threats from his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Pawan Kalyan and right-wing elements, asserting that their attacks reflect their frustration with the Dravidian ideology’s commitment to equality.Sharing a video showing individuals in Andhra Pradesh trampling his photograph at a temple entrance, Udhayanidhi expressed pity for what he described as the political immaturity of those behind the act. “I can only pity the Sanghis whose level of political maturity stands exposed in their attempt to insult me,” he posted on social media.
Unperturbed by the provocation, Udhayanidhi, who also serves as the DMK youth wing secretary, stated that the ire of his critics only validated his adherence to the principles of equality laid down by the Dravidian movement. “If the enemies of the ideology are so angry at us, I take it as proof of how well I am following the Dravidian principle,” he said.
He further emphasized that this is not a new pattern, recalling how leaders like Thanthai Periyar, Ambedkar, Arignar Anna, and his grandfather, M. Karunanidhi, were subjected to similar insults for promoting the same ideology. “There is not a harsh word they did not use against our party president (Stalin),” he added, pointing to the continued opposition faced by the Dravidian movement.
According to Udhayanidhi, the root of the frustration lies in the failure of these forces to win over people with their divisive agendas based on birth and religion. He sarcastically remarked, “Let them trample my photograph more. We cannot clean their dirty minds. At least let their feet be clean.”
He urged his party cadre not to react emotionally to these provocations but to continue following the path of rationality and equality established by leaders like Periyar, Ambedkar, Anna, Karunanidhi, and the current DMK president, M.K. Stalin. “Let us avoid turning emotional over this. Instead, let us walk tirelessly on the path of rationality and equality,” he advised.
This strong response from Udhayanidhi comes just days after he reacted to Pawan Kalyan’s statement that “people trying to destroy Sanatana Dharma will perish,” saying, “Let us wait and see.”