Chennai: Moments after his unanimous election as DMK President, MK Stalin Tuesday dispelled notions that his party was leaning towards the BJP by accusing the Modi government of “saffronizing” India and said it should be taught a lesson.
He also charged the BJP-led government with trying to destroy the basics of education, art, culture and religion through religious hatred. In a hard-hitting speech to delegates at the party’s General Council, which elected him the second President to succeed his father M. Karunanidhi, who held the post for 49 years, Stalin also hit out at the Centre saying it was painful to note that it was destroying policies of egalitarianism, social justice and rationalist thinking.
“The social and political environment that is prevailing now is a big challenge to the self-respect policies. The basics of education, art, literature and religion are being sought to be destroyed by the central government through religious hatred and on the basis of official power.
“The selection process in judiciary, education and state governors and the Centre’s actions are aimed at sabotaging the secular principles,” he said in a speech, at times overtaken by emotion.
Setting two immediate tasks for his party colleagues, he urged them to join him in the fight against the Modi government and also the “spineless” AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu.
“Come, teach a lesson to the Modi government that is attempting to saffronize the whole of India. Unite and come to throw out the spineless AIADMK government in the state,” he said to thunderous applause from the over 1,300 delegates who had earlier approved his election.