In Ayodhya, where the Babri Masjid once stood before its demolition in 1992, construction of a Ram temple is underway.
Amid allegations from opposition parties that the temple inauguration on January 22 is politically timed ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders are attending the event.
In contrast, opposition parties such as Congress, Communists, and Samajwadi Party are boycotting, accusing the BJP of exploiting religion for electoral gains.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, in response to the temple inauguration, expressed disagreement with the mosque's demolition and the subsequent construction of the temple.
Minister Udhayanidhi inaugurated the youth conference's flame relay by garlanding Periyar's statue on Anna Salai this morning.
He informed reporters that the conference, initially scheduled for December but postponed twice due to Chennai floods and Thoothukudi floods, is now set for January 21.
Anticipating an attendance of 3 to 4 lakh people, the conference's theme is 'State Rights Restoration Conference.'
Regarding the resolutions to be passed at the conference, Udhayanidhi stated, "This conference will be a significant stride as we prepare the youth to reclaim the rights lost during the last nine years of AIADMK rule (since 2014, under BJP rule) leading up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."
When questioned about the Ram temple inauguration, Udhayanidhi emphasized that participation is an individual's choice and should not be viewed through a political lens. He reiterated Kalaignar's stance, saying, "We are not against any religion or belief. While we have no issue with the temple being constructed, our disagreement stems from the demolition of the mosque to make way for it."
Responding to Edappadi Palaniswami's consideration of attending the temple inauguration due to leg pain, Udhayanidhi quipped, "He frequently complains of leg pain because he is accustomed to crawling and bowing."