At a rally in Barmer, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat issued a threat to cut out the tongues and gouge the eyes of anyone speaking against Sanatana Dharma.

Shekhawat made these comments in response to Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s assertion that Sanatana Dharma, a term some use to refer to Hinduism, should be entirely abolished rather than merely rejected. A video of the Union Minister’s speech quickly circulated on social media.

In reaction to Udhayanidhi Stalin’s earlier remarks, Shekhawat addressed the crowd during the BJP’s Parivartan Yatra in the election-bound state, stating, “We must rise to this challenge. Anyone who criticizes Sanatan will have their tongues cut out. Furthermore, we will gouge out the eyes of those who oppose it.

We firmly believe that anyone who criticizes Hinduism should not hold any position of authority in this nation. They seek to undermine our history and culture,” he declared.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, had previously argued that opposing Sanatana Dharma was necessary to promote social justice and equality in this century, even likening it to diseases like coronavirus, malaria, and dengue.

“Rulers like Alauddin Khilji and Aurangzeb attempted to do so, but our ancestors, both yours and mine, were resilient and safeguarded our culture,” added the Union Minister. “We pledge that we will not tolerate any assaults on Sanatana, whether it be Maharaja Surajmal, Veer Durgadas, or Maharana Pratap. We will disown them,” the Jodhpur MP concluded.

On Tuesday, BJP leader JP Nadda demanded that the Congress and the INDIA coalition from the Opposition clarify whether they believe the Constitution permits objectionable comments about any religion.

Furthermore, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad sought an explanation from Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi regarding whether they endorse the views of their allies. The BJP will press this coalition to unequivocally state that they completely disassociate from the comments made by DMK leaders and that it is not their intention.