Udhayanidhi Stalin, a DMK MLA and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu, said Sanatan Dharma should be eradicated during a legislative session on Tuesday [1].
The remarks reignite a volatile political debate regarding religious identity and social hierarchy in India. Because the comments were made within the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, they elevate a long-standing ideological conflict into a formal state record.
Stalin addressed the assembly on May 12, 2026 [1]. He said that the belief system, referred to as both "Sanathanam" and "Sanatan Dharma" in reports, creates social fractures [1], [2].
“Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated,” Stalin said [1].
He said the reasoning behind his position, stating, “It should be eradicated because it divides people in society” [2].
The BJP has launched a sharp attack following these statements [2]. The party's criticism centers on the call for the eradication of a faith system followed by millions, viewing the rhetoric as an attack on religious freedom, and cultural heritage.
Stalin's position aligns with a broader political plank within his party that critiques traditional social structures. By renewing these remarks in the assembly, he has placed the issue of social division at the center of the current legislative discourse — a move that ensures the controversy will likely extend beyond the chamber and into the general electorate.
““Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated.””
This incident reflects the deep-seated ideological divide between the Dravidian movement's focus on social justice and the BJP's defense of Hindu traditions. By framing Sanatan Dharma as a tool of division rather than a spiritual practice, Stalin is leveraging a specific political narrative to mobilize his base while simultaneously provoking a reaction from nationalistic opponents.
