TVK MLA Mustafa said his party has "entered the field to eradicate Sanatan Dharma" during a session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly [1].

The statement intensifies a volatile political debate in the state regarding religious influence and caste hierarchy. By aligning with rationalist rhetoric, the lawmaker is challenging the social and religious foundations of a significant portion of the population.

Mustafa's comments mirror previous remarks made by Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had previously called for the eradication of Sanatanam [2]. The repetition of this language by a member of the TVK party suggests a coordinated political effort to push an anti-Sanatan agenda within the legislative body.

These remarks emerged during a broader debate invoking the anti-caste and rationalist ideologies of Periyar and Ambedkar [1]. The political strategy aims to challenge the influence of Sanatan Dharma in Tamil Nadu by framing it as a system that must be dismantled to achieve social equality [2].

Opposition leaders have reacted to the comments, viewing them as an attack on religious freedom and cultural heritage. The row has further polarized the assembly, as supporters of the rationalist movement argue that such rhetoric is necessary to dismantle systemic discrimination.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was present in the assembly as the discourse unfolded [2]. The alignment between the Minister's previous statements and Mustafa's current rhetoric indicates a shared ideological framework among certain political factions in the region [1].

“the party has "entered the field to eradicate Sanatan Dharma"”

This escalation reflects a strategic use of identity politics in Tamil Nadu, where leaders leverage the legacies of Periyar and Ambedkar to mobilize voters against traditional religious structures. By framing the 'eradication' of Sanatan Dharma as a prerequisite for social justice, these politicians are attempting to consolidate a rationalist and anti-caste electoral base, even at the risk of alienating religious conservatives.