During a recent event celebrating the 1,500th birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed in Chennai, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin sharply criticized the AIADMK, an ally of the BJP, by calling on the Muslim community to ‘boycott those who support the BJP’s cheap, autocratic, and authoritarian politics’.
He assured the attendees that the DMK would always stand in solidarity with Muslims and actively champion their rights.
Stalin highlighted several measures his DMK government has implemented specifically for the welfare of the Muslim community.
The Chief Minister reminded everyone of the DMK’s strong opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
He pointed out the ‘double standards’ displayed by the AIADMK during the enactment of the Triple Talaq Act (Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019), noting that it prompted former Minister and MP Anwhar Raajhaa to leave the AIADMK and join the DMK.
Furthermore, Stalin recalled the ‘drama’ by the AIADMK during the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, emphasizing that it was the DMK and other parties who successfully challenged its key provisions in the Supreme Court and secured a stay.
He also proudly mentioned that it was the DMK government under M. Karunanidhi that first declared Milad-un-Nabi a public holiday in 1969. Although it was revoked by the AIADMK government in 2001, the DMK government later reinstated it in 2006.
Shifting focus, Stalin reiterated his stance on the conflict in Gaza, urging the Union government to advocate for the people of Palestine.
Responding to a request from SDPI leader Nellai Mubarak at the event to include lessons on Prophet Muhammed in textbooks, Stalin confirmed that this initiative had ‘already been incorporated’.
He further committed to considering other demands, stating, ‘They will definitely be considered. We will certainly fulfil the reasonable demands.’
Dignitaries present at the function included Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu and Minister for Minorities Welfare S.M. Nasar.