New Delhi/IBNS: "A young child is being targeted," said actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan in an indirect response to Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's controversial remark on 'Sanatan Dharma', media reports said.

Haasan, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party in Tamil Nadu, made the comment without taking the name of Udhayanidhi, his opponent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or any other political outfit.

"A young child is being targeted today as he had spoken about Sanatan Dharma," said Haasan as quoted by Times Now.

Haasan added that Udhayanidhi's comment was not new as similar remarks were also made by his grandfather and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi.

What did Stalin Jr. say about Sanatan Dharma?

In an address, Udhayanidhi, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, said as quoted by The Indian Express, "Some things cannot be opposed, they should be eradicated. Mosquitoes, dengue fever, malaria, and Corona cannot be opposed. They should be eradicated. So should Sanatan (Dharma)."

The DMK minister said, "What did Sanatanam do to women? It prevented them from stepping out of the house, made them commit sati (self-immolation on their husband’s pyre), and shave their head and wear a white saree post their husband’s death. It also led to child marriages."

"While we think of introducing schemes to benefit our student’s education, fascists are coming up with schemes to stop them from achieving that because the principle of Sanatanam is that we shouldn’t study at all, and NEET is one fine example of that," he added.

Modi attacks INDIA alliance over 'Sanatan Dharma' remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed the opposition bloc, INDIA, accusing it of attempting to destroy the Sanatan Dharma.

Modi said, "A few groups are working to divide the country and society... They have come together to form an INDI alliance. They have also decided on a hidden agenda to attack India's culture.

"The INDI alliance has come with a resolution to end 'Sanatan' culture."