'Respect people of Tamil Nadu but..." Mamata Banerjee disapproves of 'Sanatana Dharma' remark

It also appears to have put the Opposition bloc INDIA in a dilemma, calling upon the diplomatic skills of the leaders to preserve unity.

Banerjee, who has maintained silence for over a day, spoke up after Congress comments on the issue.

"We should not be involved in any matter which might hurt a section of people," the Trinamool Congress supremo said. 

"As far as the remarks (of Udhayanidhi Stalin) are concerned, he is a junior. From my side, I am not clear about why and on what grounds he has made the comment. I feel that each and every religion should be equally respected," Banerjee said this evening, hours after her party spokesperson called the comments "unfortunate".

"I respect the people of Tamil Nadu and South India. But my humble request to them is to respect all as every religion has separate sentiments," Banerjee said.

Referring to the term "Unity in Diversity" and India's inclusive secularism, Banerjee said, "I respect the Sanatana Dharma and we derive our learnings from the Vedas... We have so many purohits and our state government offers pensions to them... We have so many temples across the country. We visit temples, mosques, and churches."

The controversy erupted after Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said that "Sanatana Dharma is like malaria and dengue and so it must be eradicated and not opposed".

Senior BJP leaders have dismissed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's son as "Udhayanidhi Hitler" and slammed the opposition INDIA alliance as "anti-Hindu".

Continuing its attack against Congress and the INDIA alliance over the remarks on "Sanatan Dharma", the BJP on Monday said Congress has made it a policy to defame Hinduism and try to create a rift in the society.