With CM Vijay watching, Udhayanidhi Stalin repeats controversial ‘eradication of Sanatan’ comment
TAMIL NADU, MAY 12 : The controversy surrounding Sanatan Dharma returned to Tamil Nadu’s political arena, and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin is again at the centre of it. The Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly advocated for the ‘eradication of sanatan’ again on the floor of the house, triggering reactions from multiple corners. However, CCC who was present at the house, stayed silent.
“Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated,” said Stalin on the first day of the assembly session right after the 2026 state elections. His remarks mirrored his earlier comments on Sanatan Dharma, in which he equated the ancient religion with diseases like dengue and malaria, and urged people to eradicate it. The comments led to huge legal trouble for Stalin, as several court cases were filed against him.
However, this time, it is unlikely that Stalin Jr. will face any legal consequences for the comments he made. As per Article 194 of the Indian Constitution, state legislators enjoy certain privileges and immunities over the remarks they make inside the assemblies. It also ensures freedom of speech and protects lawmakers from the court proceedings.
Hence, Stalin does not have a direct and immediate legal threat for his remarks. Something that the BJP’s national convenor, Amit Malviya, highlighted.
Taking the issue to X, Malviya said that Stalin did not use the anti-Sanatan rhetoric in public, as that led to a grave electoral consequence for the DMK. He indicated that Stalin used the state assembly as a platform to ‘mock the faith of millions.’
“The last time Udhayanidhi Stalin spoke about “eradicating” Sanatan Dharma, the courts called it hate speech, and the people of Tamil Nadu pushed his party into the opposition. This time, he may be hiding behind the immunity that the legislature provides him, but there are some lines that cannot be crossed without consequence. Mocking and targeting the faith of millions is not political courage; it is arrogance,” Malviya said.
He further warned Stalin of ‘searing retribution’ by the divine.
Stalin repeated his controversial remark in front of the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who addressed the state assembly today. He, however, remained silent when the comments were made.
Several BJP leaders hit out at Stalin. BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam said it was not the Sanatan Dharma but the DMK that was eradicated because of such remarks by Stalin.
“Because of these speeches of yours, it was the @arivalayam which got eradicated from Tamilnadu. Sanathan Dharma and its values will live on till the last human breathes on the planet,” he wrote.
BJP leader Narayan Tirupathy also echoed the same sentiment as he said that DMK was voted out of power because of his remarks.
“Realise that it is precisely because you spoke about eradicating Sanatanam that today the people have separated you and the DMK from power and thrown you out,” Tirupathy said.
-PTI
