Former deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhyanidhi Stalin, rehashed his anti-Sanatana Dharma stance on Tuesday, calling for its eradication. The opposition leader made the comments during an address in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Chief Minister Vijay was also present at the occasion.
“Sanathanam that divides people should be eradicated,” Udhayanidhi said.
The clip and Vijay’s reaction have now gone viral.
The statement is similar to remarks he made in September 2023. He triggered a nationwide outrage and had multiple cases filed against him by pro-Hindu organisations. He had said that Sanatana was against the idea of social justice and had to be eradicated.
“A few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus. We have to eradicate this; that's how we have to eradicate Sanatana. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated," he had said. He also refused to take back the statement and said that he would repeat it again.
The recent comments have triggered an intense backlash from several sides including the BJP. The DMK meanwhile have tried to explain what Stalin meant by his comments. Spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said, "The point is in Tamil Nadu, people equate 'sanatana dharma' with rigid caste hierarchy. That is why we say 'we don't want this.' DMK is against caste hierarchy. It should not be perpetuated. That is the point Stalin is making."
Udhayanidhi had also highlighted the oppositions grievance regarding CM Vijay’s recent swearing in ceremony.
The opposition had protested against the state song Tamil Thai Vazhthu being pushed to third place after the national song Vande Mataram was played first.
"Such an incident, which happened during your government's swearing-in ceremony, was a mistake, and you should not permit it to happen again in this Assembly. We will not permit it,” he said.
He said that the song “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” must always be accorded primacy at all government and public events in Tamil Nadu.
The tradition in Tamil Nadu has also been to play the state song first and end the event with the national anthem.
“I request that this government ensure that this is never compromised. We must be very vigilant in protecting our rights and traditions,” he added.
By playing all three songs together, the state song was pushed to third, which the opposition said made it lose its priority.
Vijay’s government has already reassured that it will revert to traditions and that the incident at the oath ceremony was a one-off thing.
The TVK had played Vande Mataram at the beginning of the ceremony after the Union Cabinet amended the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, giving Vande Mataram the same legal protection as the national anthem. The directive also said that the song is to be played first when played with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.
