Everyone should be united to fight fundamentalists: Sonia

CHENNAI: In the backdrop of a reported 'fatwa' issued by former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti against DMK patriarch and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has said that everyone should be united to face the threats posed by religious fundamentalist forces.

Gandhi, who had a telephonic conversation with Union Shipping Minister TR Baalu on Sunday, said, "We will not be cowed down by threats and continue to work for the people."

"Everybody should fight unitedly against communal forces," a DMK release quoted her as saying on Monday.

Baalu, who had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday seeking immediate action against Vedanti, had also sent a similar letter to the Congress chief.

Gandhi also asked the minister to convey her regards to Karunanidhi, the release said.

Vedanti, a senior VHP leader, had taken strong exception to Karunanidhi's comments questioning the existence of Lord Ram.

However, he denied on Sunday of having issued any such 'fatwa' against Karunanidhi and claimed that the media had 'twisted' his remarks.