Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin, has stirred up a major controversy with his remarks calling for the eradication of “Sanatana Dharma.” The DMK youth wing secretary and Tamil Nadu youth welfare minister asserted that Sanatana Dharma is contrary to equality and social justice, likening it to “mosquitoes, Dengue, Malaria, fever, and Corona,” and suggesting it should be eliminated like these ailments.
In response, Udhayanidhi Stalin clarified that he did not advocate for the genocide of Sanatan Dharma followers but rather viewed it as a principle that perpetuates caste and religious divisions. He emphasized that uprooting Sanatan Dharma aligns with the principles of humanity and human equality.
The controversial remarks have garnered widespread condemnation from the BJP, with the party deeming it a “genocidal call.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the opposition bloc INDIA, stating that they exhibit disdain for Hinduism. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla described it as a genocidal call and noted the support from Karti Chidambaram of the Congress party.
Rajya Sabha member and BJP leader Sushil Modi called for Udhayanidhi Stalin’s detention and imprisonment, citing the spread of hatred within the community. Union IT Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar criticized Udhayanidhi Stalin, characterizing him as a spoiled individual who insults Hinduism without fear of repercussions. Amit Malviya, the head of BJP’s IT cell, alleged that Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the genocide of a significant portion of India’s population.
Meanwhile, DMK ally Congress distanced itself from Udhayanidhi’s remarks, emphasizing its commitment to not hurting religious sentiments. A Supreme Court lawyer also filed a complaint against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his provocative and inflammatory statements against Sanatan Dharma.
