After ‘Sanatan Dharma’ Remark Sparks Outrage, Udhayanidhi Stalin Issues Clarification

New Delhi: DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin has now given an open clarification after the uproar over his statement on Sanatan. What he said while speaking for the first time as the leader of the opposition in the Assembly on May 12 had created an uproar. But now he is saying that his views were distorted. His target was not the temple or God. The target was on the thinking that divides man from man.

What did he say in the assembly?

Udhayanidhi, in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said that "Sanatan, which divides people, must end." BJP became furious at his statement. It was alleged that this is a direct attack on the faith of crores of Hindus. Udhayanidhi himself admitted that he had said this while reiterating his 2023 statement.

What did Udhayanidhi post on X?

On May 15, Udhayanidhi posted on X. He wrote, "I am not one to be afraid. If some people are making noise, let them make noise." He explained that abolishing caste does not mean that someone should stop going to the temple. From the priest in the temple to the Panchayat of the society, everyone should have equal rights everywhere. No big or small.

தமிழ்நாடு சட்டப்பேரவையில நான் பேசுனப்ப, ''மக்களைப் பிரிக்கும் சனாதனம் நிச்சயம் ஒழிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்''-னு குறிப்பிட்டேன். இதுக்காக என்னை சில பேர் criticize பண்றாங்க.

இதுக்கெல்லாம் பயப்படுற ஆள் நான் இல்ல. எதிர்ப்புலேயே வளர்ந்தது தான் திராவிட இயக்கம். அந்த வகையில, ஒரு சின்ன…

— Udhay - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@Udhaystalin) May 14, 2026

What points were mentioned, ranging from Periyar to Ambedkar?

Udhayanidhi also made Periyar, Ambedkar, Anna and Karunanidhi stand with him. He said that I am just repeating what he said. A line from Thiruvalluvar was also pasted, "Everyone is born equal, it is work that makes one high and low." In the end, he threw the card that "We are not against those who believe in God. Yes, we will definitely fight those who discriminate and oppress."

Is this the first mess?

Udhayanidhi and Sanatan have an old feud. In September 2023, from a platform in Chennai, he had described Sanatan as dengue-malaria. They said that there is no cure for it, it has to be eradicated from the roots. At that time, cases across the country were rejected. The matter reached the Supreme Court. In March 2025, the court had also reprimanded those who do not crush anyone's sentiments in the name of freedom of speech.

What is the stance of BJP now?

As soon as Udhayanidhi spoke, the BJP leaders said that DMK repeatedly targets Hindu religion. Under the guise of caste system, it actually wants to destroy Sanatan. Apologize or otherwise face consequences. On the other hand, DMK was also not going to remain silent. Party retorted and said that we had talked about cleaning the filth from society.

Where did the angle of Dravidian movement come from?

Udhayanidhi reminded us that the Dravidian movement was created for protest. This came from Periyar's thinking. There the question is of equality. There it was asked how someone became big or small on the basis of birth. It is clear from Udhayanidhi's words that he is not going to deviate from this line. The fight will go on for a long time.