CHENNAI: The BJP state unit on Sunday questioned DMK's ideological consistency and accused the party of taking positions that undermine its long-claimed secular and atheist credentials.

In a statement, BJP state spokesperson ANS Prasad asked how Lord Murugan could be politically associated with Chief Minister MK Stalin, alleging that the DMK leadership lacks faith in the Tamil deity. He was referring to PK Sekarbabu's comment that Tiruparankundram lord Murugan was with CM Stalin.

 "How can Murugan be with Chief Minister Stalin, who does not believe in Murugan?" he asked, adding that Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Criticising HR&CE Minister PK Sekarbabu, Prasad accused him of acting against Hindu temples and traditions, including allegedly failing to implement court directions in the Tiruparankundram issue, and claimed the controversy had exposed what he termed the DMK's anti-Hindu approach.

He also criticised Udhayanidhi's recent remarks at a Christmas event in Madurai, where the Deputy Chief Minister reportedly said that there was little difference between Christian principles and DMK ideology, as both advocate humanism and equality, and praised Jesus Christ for proving that an ordinary individual could emerge as a mass leader.

While welcoming Udhayanidhi's appreciation of Christian values and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the BJP spokesperson said the party opposed only forced religious conversions and terrorism, reiterating that the BJP respects all religions equally. However, he questioned the implications of equating DMK ideology with Christian principles, asking whether the DMK, which has consistently projected itself as a secular and atheist party, had altered its ideological position.