‘Entered In Fray To Abolish It’: TVK MLA Endorses Udhayanidhi's Anti-Sanatana Remark, BJP Hits Back

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 11:18 IST

Mustafa's remarks came a day after the DMK leader kicked up that row again, by doubling down on 'sanatana dharma' and declaring in the Assembly that "it must be eradicated".

Sanatana Eradication Row: A fresh political tussle broke out in Tamil Nadu after Chief Minister Vijay’s TVK MLA echoed DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s “sanatana dharma must be eradicated" stance, saying that the party follows the ideals of Periyar EV Ramasamy and BR Ambedkar, and had “entered the fight to abolish Sanatana".

The TVK MLA from Madurai Central, VMS Mustafa, was responding to Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks over the Sanatana Dharma and said, “We too subscribe to the ideals of Periyar and Ambedkar. We too have entered the fray to abolish Sanatana."

His remarks came a day after the DMK leader kicked up that row again, by doubling down on ‘sanatana dharma’ and declaring in the Assembly that “it must be eradicated" because it divides people in society.

“Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated," Udhayanidhi said during his speech in the Assembly, reviving a debate that has repeatedly triggered sharp political and legal reactions in recent months.

Udhayanidhi was pointing to a specific grievance over the recent swearing-in ceremony of the new government, alleging that the state anthem was relegated to the third slot in the sequence of events instead of receiving its customary prominence.

BJP Hits Back

These remarks drew condemnation from the BJP, which accused the TVK and the DMK of engaging in divisive rhetoric and insulting Hindu beliefs.

BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy slammed Mustafa, calling his statement condemnable and harmful to religious harmony.

In a post on X, the BJP leader questioned whether Mustafa would make similar comments against Islam or Christianity and accused him of insulting Hindu beliefs. The leader also said such remarks reflected political arrogance.

The BJP leader further criticised Vijay, for not condemning either Mustafa’s statement or earlier remarks on Sanatan Dharma made by Udhayanidhi Stalin.

“Chief Minister Joseph Vijay @TVKVijayHQ has so far not condemned either Udhayanidhi Stalin’s speech on Sanatanam in the Assembly or the remarks made by DMK MLA Mustafa. For a Chief Minister who claims to be the leader for all people, failing to condemn those who criticise the way of life of the majority community does not befit the high office he holds," he said in a post on X.

He further said that Sanatan Dharma was eternal and could not be destroyed by any individual or political movement.

“Sanatan Dharma, which is eternal and everlasting, has never been destroyed or eradicated by anyone born in the past, nor is anyone born now capable of doing so, and no one who will be born in the future will ever be able to destroy it either," he added.

Earlier Controversy

Remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatan Dharma have triggered political controversy in the past and also come under judicial scrutiny.

Earlier this year, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court observed that one of his speeches amounted to “hate speech" while hearing a case linked to the controversy.

Justice S. Srimathy made the observation while quashing an FIR against Amit Malviya, who had been accused of distorting Udhayanidhi’s remarks.

The court noted that Udhayanidhi had used the Tamil phrase “Sanatana ozhippu," which means eradication of Sanatan Dharma, rather than “Sanatana ethirppu," meaning opposition to Sanatan Dharma.

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