Dussehra is a Hindu festival that symbolises the victory of the good over the evil. Every year, thousands of effigies of Ravan, Meghanad, and Kumbhakaran are burnt at several places across the country to mark the triumph of righteousness over wickedness. While burning effigies of societal problems like corruption and drug abuse has been a longstanding tradition during Ramleelas in Delhi, this year effigies of those who disparaged Sanatana Dharma are installed at Delhi’s Red Fort ground for Dussehra celebrations.
#WATCH | Effigies of Ravan, Meghanad and Kumbhkaran, along with those opposing Sanatan Dharma, installed at Delhi's Red Fort ground for #Dussehra pic.twitter.com/B36VeKWrhj
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2023
On the grounds of Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, effigies of Sanatana Dharma detractors are erected alongside the traditional effigies of Ravan, Meghnad, and Kumbhkarna—the three antagonists from Ramayana— killed by Lord Rama and his army in their fight for Dharma. The effigies with garlands of shoes wrapped around their neck have posters pasted on them, which bears slogans ‘Down with those who attack Sanatana Dharma’.
Earlier this month, it was reported that over 650 effigies of Sanatana Dharma disparagers were going to be set ablaze with Ravan, Meghanad and Kumbhakaran.
Arjun Kumar, the president of Shree Ramleela Mahasangh, the central organisation for Ramleela events in Delhi, informed The Indian Express, “The statues of legendary antagonists will stand tall at 80 to 100 feet, while those representing opponents of Sanatan Dharma, ranging from 6 to 15 feet, will convey their insignificance.”
DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin, A Raja, and Congress’ Priyank Kharge make disparaging remarks against Sanatana Dharma
The move was in response to Southern politicians’ contempt and disdain for Sanatana Dharma. On 2nd September, the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, went on a tirade against Sanatan Dharma on social media. The development came hours after he courted controversy for comparing the Hindu civilisational, religious philosophy with ‘malaria’ and ‘dengue.’ While talking to X (formerly Twitter), Udhayanidhi Stalin wrote, “Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion.”
“Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality…I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalised who suffer from the Sanatan Dharma. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalised, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma,” he said.
“Let me reiterate the crucial aspect of my speech: I believe, like the spread of diseases like COVID-19, Dengue, and Malaria by mosquitoes, that Sanatan Dharma is responsible for many social evils,” he further emphasised.
Stalin’s remarks sparked outrage, with millions of people around the world who espoused Sanatana Dharma expressing vehement disapproval of the DMK leader’s call for the annihilation of a religious group that forms a majority in India. A Raja, another DMK stalwart, came in support of the beleaguered Stalin, stating that Udayanidhi was soft while commenting on Sanatana Dharma and added that it should have been compared to HIV and social stigmas.
In his derogatory remarks, A Raja said Udhayanidhi only compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like Malaria and dengue as he had a soft approach. “Sanatan Dharma should be compared to diseases with social stigma like HIV and leprosy,” he added.
If this wasn’t enough, Congress’ Priyank Kharge too jumped into the raging controversy, comparing Sanatana Dharma to a disease. Speaking to the media personnel, the Congress leader said, “Any religion that does not promote equality or does not ensure you have the dignity of being human is not religion, according to me. Any religion that does not give equal rights or does not treat you like a human is as good as a disease.”
