Congress distances itself from DMK leaders' 'Sanatan Dharma' comments, says it believes in 'sarvadharma sambhav'

Congress on Wednesday asserted that it believes in "sarvadharma sambhav" (equal respect to all religions) as it distant itself from the remarks of DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja on Sanatan Dharma.The Congress also affirmed that every single member of the Opposition alliance - I.N.D.I.A has immense respect for all faiths, communities and beliefs.The affirmation from Congress came amid political row after Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi blamed Sanatan Dharma for promoting division and discrimination among people and said it should be eradicated.Also, DMK leader A Raja reportedly said Sanatan Dharma should be compared to diseases such as AIDS and leprosy that have a social stigma attached to them.Congress on DMK leaders Sanatan Dharma remarkCommenting about Sanatan Dharma remarks by leaders of ally DMK, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera, on Wednesday said, "The Congress has always believed in 'sarvadharma sambhav' wherein every religion, every faith has its space. No one can treat any particular faith as less than another faith.""Neither the Constitution allows this nor the Indian National Congress believes in any of these comments," Khera said during a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi."If you know the history of the Indian National Congress you would know that we have always maintained (this stand) and you will find the same principles in the Constituent Assembly debates and the Constitution of India. There can never be a rethink on the Constitution as far as the Congress is concerned," he said.Pressed further as to why the Congress had not condemned the remarks, Khera said, "I just said we do not agree with such comments."Asked if the Congress would raise this with its ally DMK, Khera said there is no need to raise these issues because "we know for a fact that each one of our constituents also respects every religion"."Now if you want to twist anybody's remarks, they are free to do so. If it suits the PM let him twist those remarks but every single member of the INDIA alliance has immense respect for all faiths, communities, beliefs and religions," he said.With inputs from PTI