Udhayanidhi Stalin: Sanatana Dharma divides, must be 'abolished'

Story by PTI | Posted by Vidushi Gaur | Date 12-05-2026

DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin

Chennai

Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday renewed his criticism of Sanatana Dharma, stating that it promotes social divisions and therefore must be “abolished,” reiterating remarks that had earlier sparked major political and legal controversy in 2023.

The senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader made the remarks during his maiden speech as Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai.

“Sanatana Dharma, which divides people, must certainly be abolished,” Udhayanidhi said while addressing the House, reviving a political debate that had previously triggered strong reactions from Hindu organisations and resulted in multiple legal complaints.

During his speech, he also raised concerns over what he described as a deviation from established state protocol during the recent swearing-in ceremony of the new government, alleging that Tamil Thai Vazhthu had not been accorded its customary priority in the order of events.

Udhayanidhi said the Tamil invocation song had reportedly been placed third in the ceremony instead of being given the traditional opening position, a move he claimed caused anger and disappointment among the people of the state. He warned that the opposition would not allow such a precedent to continue, either inside the Assembly or at any official event held in Tamil Nadu.

He urged the government to ensure that the Tamil invocation always receives the primary position at state functions and stressed the need to remain vigilant in safeguarding Tamil cultural identity and traditions. He also recalled a 2023 episode when the then DMK government had resisted attempts by the Governor’s office to alter established ceremonial protocol.

Outlining the role of the opposition in the new Assembly, Udhayanidhi invoked C. N. Annadurai, describing the opposition as the “brakes of a vehicle” or “the reins of a bull”—essential mechanisms for ensuring that governments remain aligned with public interest.

He said the opposition intends to function as a constructive and responsible force rather than a purely confrontational one, noting that the current opposition strength in the Assembly is nearly on par with the ruling side. He also welcomed the presence of first-time legislators and the growing representation of women in the House.

In a lighter moment, Udhayanidhi pointed out that he, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, and Speaker J. C. D. Prabhakar are all alumni of Loyola College, while joking that the DMK remains the “senior batch” in political experience.

Reaffirming his party’s commitment to the Dravidian model of governance, he said the opposition would closely monitor the government to ensure that the principle of inclusive development remains intact. He also appealed to the Speaker to maintain neutrality and allow the opposition to function as the true voice of the people.

Reacting sharply, the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised Udhayanidhi’s remarks. BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy claimed that the DMK’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections was a direct result of what he described as divisive rhetoric.

In a post on social media, Thirupathy warned that if the DMK continued to hurt religious sentiments, the people of Tamil Nadu would “completely reject” the party politically. The exchange comes in the aftermath of the DMK’s defeat in the 2026 Assembly polls, which brought the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government to power.