Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare, Udhayanidhi Stalin, once again defended his controversial remark on Sanatan Dharma that caused a nationwide uproar. Udhayanidhi stated that there was nothing wrong with his comment made in September during a conference in Chennai, and he is prepared to face the legal consequences.
Speaking to reporters, Udhayanidhi said, “There was nothing wrong in what I had spoken. We will handle the matter legally. I will not change my stance. I simply expressed my ideology.” He reaffirmed his position when questioned about the Madras High Court’s observation.
The court had criticized the police for not taking action against Udhayanidhi Stalin and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister P K Sekarbabu, who had participated in a conference aimed at eradicating ‘Sanatan Dharma’ on September 2. Justice G Jayachandran dismissed a petition seeking police permission to conduct a conference on eradicating Dravidian ideology and coordinating Tamils, filed by a city resident named Magesh Karthikeyan.
Udhayanidhi cited iconic leaders like Dr B R Ambedkar and Periyar E V Ramasamy, stating that his remarks on Sanatan Dharma were not unprecedented and had been made by such leaders before.
After visiting Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan as part of the DMK’s signature campaign against NEET, Udhayanidhi addressed reporters. Thirumavalavan expressed full support for the ruling party’s campaign.
Meanwhile, a separate petition has been filed before the Madras High Court, alleging that Udhayanidhi played a “fraud on the Constitution” with his remark on Sanatan Dharma, claiming that he violated his oath of office.
On September 2, Udhayanidhi had asserted that Sanatan Dharma is against social justice and should be eradicated. As the son of Chief Minister M K Stalin, he declared himself as the voice of the oppressed and vowed to confront challenges in both the court of law and the people’s court.
Comparing Sanatan Dharma to diseases like coronavirus, malaria, and dengue fever caused by mosquitoes, Udhayanidhi argued that such ideologies should not be opposed, but rather destroyed.
During a meeting of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, Udhayanidhi emphasized that Sanatan Dharma opposes equality and social justice. He criticized the name “Sanatan,” which is derived from Sanskrit, and claimed it divided people based on caste.
(Note: This article has been rewritten and has not been edited by NDTV staff. It is published from a syndicated feed.)
