Tirupathur (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 27 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre and the BJP-AIADMK alliance, accusing them of attempting to divide the people of the state along the lines of religious and caste.

Speaking to mediapersons in Tirupathur district, CM Stalin alleged that BJP, which has aligned with AIADMK, was engaging in 'fake spirituality and political drama' to create division in the state. 'Those in the Centre are trying to divide the people of Tamil Nadu in the name of religion, caste, etc., and they are doing this continuously. When they couldn't do it, they joined with AIADMK here,' Stalin said.

He further criticised BJP's rhetoric on religion, saying, 'BJP is speaking with AIADMK on their side, that religion is in danger in Tamil Nadu. The truth is, it's a dangerous situation for their alliance now.'

Stalin reiterated that Tamil Nadu has a long-standing tradition of social harmony, and its people would not tolerate attempts to disturb it for political gains. 'Fake spirituality and political drama will not be accepted in religious things by anyone here (in Tamil Nadu),' he asserted.

On June 24, a political row erupted after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin alleged biased allocation of Central funds favouring Sanskrit over other Indian classical languages including Tamil.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister wrote, 'Sanskrit gets crores; Tamil and other South Indian languages get nothing but crocodile tears.'

The criticism follows a media report that quoted the reply to an RTI query, which said that the Central government allocated Rs 2,532.59 crore between 2014-15 and 2024-25 for the promotion of Sanskrit.

In contrast, a total of only Rs 147.56 crore was spent on all five other classical Indian languages combined--Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia--over the same period, claimed the report. (ANI)