V. M. S. Mustafa, a member of the legislative assembly for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), said Thursday that he is not against any religion [1].
The statement follows a political controversy in Tamil Nadu after Mustafa endorsed remarks by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin regarding the eradication of Sanatana Dharma [2]. This endorsement triggered a backlash across the political spectrum, forcing the lawmaker to address the friction caused by his comments [1].
Mustafa previously said, "We have entered the field to eradicate Sanatan Dharma" [2]. These words aligned him with a broader political movement in the region that seeks to challenge traditional religious structures. The remarks sparked immediate debate among political opponents and religious groups in the state [3].
In his effort to mitigate the row, Mustafa shifted the focus toward the intellectual foundations of his party. He said, "Our party also subscribes to the ideals of Periyar and Ambedkar" [2]. By citing these figures, Mustafa linked his position to the social justice movements, and anti-caste philosophies that have historically shaped Tamil Nadu politics [2].
Despite the earlier call to abolish the specific religious framework, Mustafa sought to distance himself from general religious animosity. "We are not against any religion," he said [1].
The clarification comes as the TVK continues to navigate the complex ideological landscape of the state. The tension between rationalist ideologies and religious tradition remains a central point of conflict in local governance and electoral strategy [3].
“"We are not against any religion."”
This incident highlights the ongoing tension in Tamil Nadu between the state's strong rationalist tradition—rooted in the teachings of Periyar—and the religious sensitivities of the broader Indian electorate. By attempting to balance a call for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma with a general claim of religious tolerance, Mustafa is attempting to maintain a specific ideological identity without alienating the wider public or inviting legal challenges.
