RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. ANI

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the world has been running because of Santana Dharma and speaking of destroying it would be like stepping on an axe.

Addressing an event at Baba Mastnath Ashram in Rohtak, Bhagwat said, “The world has been running because of Santana (Dharma) and will continue to do so. Speaking of destroying it is like stepping on an axe… I pity such people who say that, I am not angry at them. Such statements are because of a lack of knowledge. Saints have already told us how to protect the Sanatana….”

DMK leader Udhayanidhi, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and a minister in the state government, had recently kicked up a row by comparing the Sanatan Dharma with diseases like dengue and malaria and called for its eradication saying it was against social justice.

Several political leaders had also made similar remarks and issued statements supporting the DMK leader.

The remarks drew widespread condemnation from several quarters including the BJP and Hindu saints who staged a protest against Udhayanidhi  and burnt his effigies across the country.

With inputs from agencies