DMK Student Wing to Initiate 'Rationalist Movement' across Tamil Nadu
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Synopsis
On February 12, the DMK Student Wing announced a statewide 'rationalist movement' in Tamil Nadu to counter the BJP-led Union government's efforts to saffronise education. The initiative aims to promote rationalist thought and address communal ideologies being introduced into the educational system.
Key Takeaways
- DMK's rationalist movement targets BJP's educational policies.
- Focus on promoting rationalist thought among students.
- Accusations against BJP of infusing communal ideology into education.
- Criticism of BJP's use of cultural events to promote religious agendas.
- Political tensions rising over Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma.
Chennai, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Student Wing of the DMK has launched a comprehensive 'rationalist movement' aimed at students throughout Tamil Nadu to challenge what it describes as the BJP-led Union government's attempt to 'saffronise' education.
DMK Student Wing State Secretary and Kancheepuram MLA, C.V.M.P. Ezhilarasan, criticized the BJP’s alleged efforts to inject 'communal ideology' into the educational sector.
He stated that the student wing will adopt proactive strategies to foster rationalist thinking and oppose the 'unscientific and communal agenda' propagated by the BJP.
Ezhilarasan accused the BJP of imposing religious ideology on Tamil Nadu’s educational framework, which has been historically influenced by rationalist leaders such as Periyar, Anna, Kalaignar, and currently Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
He further rebuked the Union government for emphasizing religious narratives in education while neglecting advancements in critical fields like Artificial Intelligence.
The DMK leader also charged the BJP with leveraging cultural events like the Kasi Tamil Sangamam to foster casteist and communal sentiments among the youth.
He alleged that the initiative, designed to reconnect Tamil Nadu with Varanasi (Kasi), is being exploited to disseminate religious ideology under the pretense of cultural exchange.
Ezhilarasan particularly criticized the recent participation of students from Classes IV to VIII in a rally connected with the Kasi Tamil Sangamam. He claimed that the BJP is attempting to divide students based on religious lines and accused the party of executing a 'Hindutva political action plan' disguised as nationalism promotion.
This education policy controversy comes against the backdrop of an ongoing political dispute regarding Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comments about Sanatana Dharma.
Udhayanidhi had previously compared Sanatana Dharma to 'diseases such as dengue, malaria, and coronavirus', arguing for its 'eradication' rather than mere opposition.
He asserted that abolishing Sanatana Dharma would also eliminate untouchability and caste-based discrimination.
His statements ignited nationwide backlash, with BJP leaders accusing him of advocating for 'Hindu genocide.'
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted that Udhayanidhi was promoting the destruction of Hinduism, which constitutes nearly 80 percent of India’s populace.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also commented on the issue, accusing Udhayanidhi of fostering a perilous narrative against the Hindu community.
The discourse surrounding these remarks continues to escalate political tensions between the DMK and BJP on both state and national fronts.
