A fresh political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu after Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi, speaking in the Assembly, said that “Sanatana,” which he described as divisive, should be abolished.
The remark came during speeches congratulating J.C.D. Prabhakar, who was unanimously elected Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Udhayanidhi’s statement immediately drew criticism, reviving a debate that had earlier spread beyond the state.
The controversy traces back to a September 2, 2023 event in Chennai organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association linked to the CPI(M). At that programme, Udhayanidhi—then a minister—had compared “Sanatana” to diseases such as dengue, malaria and COVID-19, arguing it should be eradicated rather than merely opposed. At the same event, Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani said “Sanatana” meant Hinduism.
Following those remarks, BJP and Hindu organisations filed complaints across the country and cases were moved in courts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also criticised Udhayanidhi, and the Supreme Court, while hearing the matter, noted that he was not an ordinary person and should understand the impact and consequences of his words.
In a statement issued now, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said Udhayanidhi’s first Assembly speech as Opposition Leader showed he had not matured politically, alleging he was repeatedly targeting Hindus. He further claimed Udhayanidhi’s earlier public remarks on “abolishing Sanatana” had contributed to his demotion from Deputy Chief Minister to Opposition Leader, and asked what response Chief Minister Vijay would give to what he called “hate propaganda” aired in the Assembly.
