Udhayanidhi Stalin once again triggered a political controversy after making remarks against Sanatan Dharma during a session in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The Leader of Opposition and DMK MLA said, “Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated.”

The statement immediately drew strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with party spokesperson CR Kesavan attacking Udhayanidhi Stalin and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the remarks.

Responding sharply, Kesavan said, "Udayanidhi Stalin is the Rahul Gandhi of Tamil Nadu, peddling divisive hate politics. Rahul Gandhi mocked the sacred Sengol and he insulted and boycotted the Pran Prathishta ceremony of Ram Mandir. Like Rahul Gandhi who has been rejected for the past 3 Lok Sabha elections, Udayanidhi Stalin despite being punished and ousted by the Tamil people, continues with his toxic rant. What better can you expect from the divisive DMK, which opposed the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam and whose CM never wished the people of Tamil Nadu on Deepavali. A DMK MP and former Union minister had outrageously remarked that Hinduism is a menace to only to India but to the entire world. These repeat offenders need to keep in mind that the state emblem of Tamil Nadu has a temple Gopuram and the people of Tamil Nadu will not forget nor forgive such flagrant abuse and insult of their faith and sentiments."

This is not the first time Udhayanidhi Stalin has faced criticism over his comments on Sanatan Dharma. Similar remarks made by him earlier had sparked nationwide political reactions and also led to legal scrutiny. His comments had previously become the subject of debate in courts as well.

On January 21 this year, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court quashed an FIR that had been registered in 2023 against BJP leader Amit Malviya by Tiruchi city police. The FIR was related to allegations that Malviya had distorted Udhayanidhi Stalin’s earlier remarks on Sanatan Dharma.

While hearing the matter, Justice S Srimathy made observations regarding the minister’s speech and said the remarks amounted to “hate speech.” The judge also stated that the speech should be examined completely and not selectively.

“He stated that Sanatana Dharma should not merely be resisted or opposed, but should be abolished or eradicated. In Tamil, the expression used was not Sanatana ethirppu (opposition to Sanatana), but Sanatana ozhippu (eradication of Sanatana),” Justice Srimathy noted.

The controversy unfolded on the same day when the newly formed Tamil Nadu Assembly met after the victory of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay in the Assembly elections. The session marked an important political transition in the state.

During the Assembly proceedings, TVK MLA JCD Prabhakar was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Prabhakar had won the 2026 Assembly elections from the Thousand Lights constituency by defeating DMK candidate Ezhlian Naganathan.

Addressing the Assembly later, Udhayanidhi Stalin praised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay for meeting the DMK leadership after assuming office. He stressed the importance of maintaining political civility in the House despite ideological differences between the ruling party and the opposition.

Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "Yesterday, the CM came and got wishes from our leader and many others. That political civility should continue in this House also. Even if we are on different rows as the ruling government and opposition party, we all should work together for Tamil Nadu's development. This is the wish of people also. CM and the opposition leader, we studied at the same college. But in politics, we are seniors. We would like to share our experience and knowledge. You also be ready to accept our suggestions."

He also raised concerns regarding the order in which songs were played during the swearing-in ceremony. Udhayanidhi expressed displeasure over Vande Mataram being played before the Tamil Nadu state song.

Recalling the earlier disagreements between the DMK government and former Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, he said, "Tamil state song was played at the third spot. Opposition parties have expressed concern. The ruling government gave clarification. In the West Bengal CM ceremony event, there was no Vande Mataram. But here it was played. You all know who the Governor is there. What he demanded when he was here as Governor. The government should not allow this to happen again. The Tamil state song should never be pushed to the second spot. We should protect our customs. After years, women legislators have come here. We are happy to see it. Congratulations. We will be a healthy opposition in Tamil Nadu."

The developments once again placed Udhayanidhi Stalin at the centre of a political and ideological debate in Tamil Nadu. While the BJP accused him of insulting religious sentiments, the DMK leader continued to defend his stand and called for cooperation inside the Assembly for the development of the state.