Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has strongly rebutted accusations made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who claimed that the state government was acting against Hindu values and undermining the rights of Hindus. Speaking at a public event in Dindigul on Wednesday, Stalin condemned the allegations as baseless, politically motivated, and unbecoming of a senior Union minister.Addressing a crowd at a welfare assistance distribution programme, Stalin accused Shah of making “imaginary issues” without understanding the ground realities of Tamil Nadu’s society and governance. In a scathing retort, he even coined the term “Avathooru Shah” (Slander Shah) to mock the Union minister’s remarks.
Stalin highlighted his government’s record on supporting religious institutions, noting that over 4,000 temple consecrations have been carried out since his party came to power. He also pointed to the recovery of more than 7,600 acres of encroached temple land, asserting that such efforts demonstrated respect for Hindu religious heritage—contradicting Shah’s claims.
The Chief Minister asserted that the Dravidian model of governance in Tamil Nadu protects the religious rights and cultural practices of all communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others. He characterised attempts to stir communal discord as insincere political tactics that have failed to gain traction in the state.
Stalin also linked the controversy to broader political stakes ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, framing the choice for voters as one between governance “by the people of Tamil Nadu” and external influence from Delhi. He accused the AIADMK-BJP alliance of seeking to bring BJP rule into the state and urged voters to reject divisive politics.
The exchange underscores the rising political temperature in Tamil Nadu, with both state and national leaders engaging in aggressive rhetoric as the election season intensifies. Observers note that religion and cultural identity are increasingly prominent themes in the campaign discourse, with each side seeking to sway public opinion ahead of the polls.
