Chennai, May 13, 2026 — DMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin reignited a major controversy on May 12 during the first session of the Tamil Nadu 17th Legislative Assembly by repeating his call to “eradicate” or “abolish” Sanatana Dharma, claiming it divides people.

What Udhayanidhi Stalin Said

In his maiden speech as Leader of Opposition, Udhayanidhi stated:

“Sanatana Dharma, which divides the people, must certainly be abolished.”

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This comes just days after actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay’s TVK ended decades of Dravidian rule by winning 108 seats in the April–May 2026 elections. DMK secured 59 seats and sits as the main opposition. No objections were raised in the House as CM Vijay listened attentively.

Background and 2023 Controversy

Udhayanidhi had earlier compared Sanatana Dharma to diseases like malaria, dengue, and COVID-19 that “must be eradicated.” The Madras High Court had observed those remarks as hate speech against the Hindu community.

He also raised concerns over the alleged sidelining of the Tamil invocation song Tamil Thai Vazhthu during the new government’s swearing-in.

Strong Reactions Pour In

  • BJP and Hindu Groups: Strongly condemned the remarks as “hate speech,” “venom,” and anti-Hindu politics. Leaders said it reflects DMK’s ideology that contributed to their electoral defeat.

  • DMK’s Defence: The party claims the comments target caste hierarchies and social divisions, not Hinduism itself.

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  • Legal Angle: Fresh complaints and legal challenges are expected, building on pending 2023 cases.

Why It Matters

This episode has once again brought Tamil Nadu’s ideological divide into sharp focus — Dravidian social justice politics versus Hindu cultural identity — under the new TVK-led government.

Sanatana Dharma, representing core Hindu traditions followed by over 87% of Tamil Nadu’s population, remains a sensitive flashpoint in state politics.

For live updates and reactions, stay tuned to Hindutone.com — your voice for Sanatan and Tamil culture.

Sources

Image: Udhayanidhi Stalin, file photo (2020) by Articist, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.