New Delhi/IBNS: Launching a scathing attack on the opposition INDIA alliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that the opposition wants to finish Sanatana Dharma and push the country back into slavery for 1,000 years.

This was PM Modi's first reaction to the Sanatana Dharma row that sparked over DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks.

Speaking in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi said: "They held a meeting in Mumbai recently, and I think they decided the policy and strategy of how to run the 'ghamandiya' alliance there. They have also decided on a hidden agenda. The strategy is to attack the culture of India. They have decided to attack the faith of Indians and finish the thoughts, values, and traditions that have united the country for thousands of years."

Drawing a link between India's heroes and the Sanatana culture, he said, "The 'ghamandiya' alliance has resolved to finish the Sanatana culture and traditions that inspired Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. It was the strength of Sanatana that the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmibai, could challenge the British and say that she would not give up her Jhansi."

PM Modi said Mahatma Gandhi considered Sanatana Dharma to be essential to his life.

"He was inspired by Lord Ram all his life. His last words were 'hey Ram'," he added.

The Prime Minister asserted that Swami Vivekanand and Lokmanya Tilak were also inspired by Sanatana and it was this culture that moved freedom fighters who were hanged by the British to say that they wanted to be born "in the lap of Bharat Ma" again.

"In the days to come, they will step up their attacks on us. Every Sanatani, every person who loves this country, those who love the people of this country; all of us have to stay vigilant. They want to finish Sanatana and push the country back into 1,000 years of slavery. But we have to stop such forces together. Through the strength of our organisation, we have to ensure that their strategy does not succeed," he said.

PM Modi's remarks come days after Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is a Tamil Nadu minister and a leader of INDIA bloc member DMK, spoke about "eradicating" Sanatana Dharma.

Talking about caste differences, he equated Sanatana Dharma with diseases like dengue and malaria.

The remarks triggered a political row with BJP leaders across the country condemning it and demanding action against him. Even PM Modi at a Cabinet meeting had asked his colleagues to respond to it adequately.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin defended his son Udhayanidhi on the issue and said the pro-BJP forces, unable to tolerate his stance against oppressive principles, have spread a false narrative, alleging that "Udhayanidhi called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts."

He had accused pro-BJP forces of spreading a 'false narrative' on his son's remarks on Sanatana Dharma.

Stalin defended Udhayanidhi's remarks and alleged that PM Modi, who has failed to fulfil any of his promises, is attempting to divert attention by invoking Sanatan.

Stalin also said the BJP regime at the Centre is using Sanatana row as a shield to cover up its failures and corruption.