Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday said that the principles of Dravidian ideology—which his party, the DMK, is founded on—and Islam are “fundamentally the same”.
Speaking at an Iftar function organised by the DMK Minorities Welfare Rights Wing at New College in Chennai, Udhayanidhi Stalin praised Islam as a religion that upholds equality, love, and generosity, and asserted that the bond between the DMK and the Muslim community cannot be broken.
“The principles of Dravidian ideology and the principles of Islam are fundamentally the same. As long as brotherhood and unity exist, no matter how many attempts or conspiracies take place, no one will be able to break the relationship between the DMK and the Muslim community,” he was quoted as saying by ANI news agency.
Udhayanidhi highlighted the welfare schemes being implemented by the current government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and noted that a foundation stone has been laid for the construction of the Tamil Nadu Haj House at a cost of ₹39 crore.
The Deputy CM further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting Muslims, while asserting that the DMK would remain a steadfast protector of the minority community.
“A BJP chief minister himself released a video targeting Muslims. I don’t need to explain to you about the BJP and others. The Union BJP government spreads hatred against minorities every day. It is through this hatred campaign that the BJP is growing. No matter how much the BJP tries or how much trouble they create, the DMK will always stand firmly with you as your protector,” he said.
His remarks came a day after Chief Minister Stalin, while attending an Iftar feast organised the party’s minority wing at Aminjikarai in Chennai, vowed that the DMK would stand by Muslims and speak for their rights irrespective of whether it was in power or not.
“I am happy to join this event during Ramadan. The bond between the Muslim community and the DMK has endured across generations,” he said.
Stalin also praised the Muslim community for its “deep commitment to charity, compassion, and social harmony,” noting their consistent generosity, willingness to help others, and treatment of all with equality and respect.