Udhayanidhi Stalin has once again sparked political debate after clarifying his controversial remarks about “Sanatan.” The DMK leader stated that his comments were not directed against religion, Hindu beliefs, or temple worship, but were aimed at opposing caste discrimination and social inequality in society.
The clarification came after his recent speech in the Tamil Nadu Assembly created strong reactions from political parties and religious groups across the country. During the Assembly session, Udhayanidhi had said that “Sanatan, which divides people, should be eradicated,” a remark that quickly became the center of political controversy.
Responding to criticism, Udhayanidhi explained that his statement had been misunderstood and deliberately misrepresented by opponents. According to him, the message was focused on ending discriminatory social practices and not on attacking faith or religious traditions.
In a statement shared publicly, he said that asking for the eradication of Sanatan did not mean preventing people from visiting temples or practicing their religion. Instead, he stressed that every individual should receive equal rights and equal treatment in both religious spaces and society at large.
The DMK leader argued that caste-based divisions have historically created inequality and oppression, and such practices should no longer continue in a modern democratic society. He said his comments were specifically aimed at the system that separates people into higher and lower castes.
Udhayanidhi also said that criticism against him was not new and that the Dravidian movement had always faced opposition throughout its history. He added that social justice and equality remain the core principles of the movement started by leaders such as Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, B. R. Ambedkar, C. N. Annadurai, and M. Karunanidhi.
According to Udhayanidhi, the Dravidian ideology has always stood against oppression, social hierarchy, and discrimination. At the same time, he maintained that the movement does not oppose belief in God or personal religious practices.
He further emphasized that equality by birth should be the foundation of society. Quoting the famous Tamil philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar, he referred to the line “Pirappokkum ella uyirkkum,” which means all living beings are equal by birth. He said this idea continues to guide the principles of the Dravidian movement even today.
The controversy gained more attention because these remarks came shortly after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. During the Assembly session, Udhayanidhi repeated his earlier stand that practices promoting division among people should be eliminated. His statement was made in the presence of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, though the Chief Minister did not react publicly during the proceedings.
This is not the first time Udhayanidhi Stalin has faced backlash over comments related to Sanatan Dharma. Earlier statements in which he compared Sanatan practices to diseases such as dengue and malaria had triggered nationwide criticism and led to multiple legal complaints against him.
Despite the criticism, Udhayanidhi continues to defend his position, saying his fight is against inequality and caste oppression rather than against religion itself.
