After VCK leader Vanniarasu’s innuendos on Bhagwan Ram and Sanatana Dharma, another Dravidian voice has followed suit in attacking it. Srividhya, a Dravidianist speaker from the little-known DNK (Dravida Natpu Kazhagam – Dravidian Friends Association), claimed that Sanatana Dharma (Hindutva) is more dangerous than stray dogs.
Speaking on a debate show on Sun News, owned by DMK family member Kalanidhi Maran, Srividhya participated in Kelvi Kalam (Question Ground), a programme discussing whether the DMK or AIADMK regime had done more for women’s development in Tamil Nadu.
BJP spokesperson G.K. Nagarajan highlighted his concerns over two pressing issues: the rising stray dog population and the proliferation of TASMAC liquor shops. He argued that these twin factors have created social distress and contributed to a disturbing rise in young widows.
Instead of addressing these points, Srividhya veered away from the subject with a provocative attack. Nagarajan countered sharply:
“Tell the madam to get down and walk on the streets; then she’ll understand the trouble these dogs cause. Don’t you see it on social media? Don’t you see dogs chasing young girls and men? Isn’t this a social tragedy? Which family has fascism left without men? Come and see the villages. Come and see how many women have lost their pottu and poo (symbols of marriage and womanhood, worn only by sumangalis whose husbands are alive) because of liquor shops and street-corner bars.”
Lacking points to counter him, Srividhya reacted when he referred to womanhood and marital status. She dramatically derailed the debate, mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Sanatana Dharma:
“What I’m asking is, the Prime Minister has a 56-inch chest and is very brave, right? Can’t he issue an order that there should be no liquor shops across India? If you have so much concern for the women of this country, you can do it, can’t you? Sanatana Dharma is more dangerous than a dog, more dangerous than alcohol.”
Srividhya’s remarks were not only unnecessary but also avoidably provocative. They shifted the course of a vital civic discussion into sectarian rhetoric. This reflects how debates are typically conducted on DMK-affiliated satellite channels: if a BJP speaker, a journalist sympathetic to the BJP, or anyone presenting facts that debunk the DMK’s narrative speaks up, the moderator or the majority of DMK supporters interrupt, shout over them, or resort to offensive personal attacks. The moderator often cuts them short, disrupting their train of thought—even seasoned debaters lose track of their points.
The video clip of Srividhya’s comments was initially promoted by Sun News on YouTube with a provocative thumbnail. Following public backlash, the channel silently privatised the clip, though the full debate remains available online and continues to go viral, drawing widespread criticism.
As noted earlier, such debates will persist until the 2026 Assembly elections, with DMK-controlled print, broadcast, and social media platforms, along with IT wings of DMK and its allies pushing misinformation and rumours to justify their line.
This is not an isolated case. In September 2023, CM Stalin’s son and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin compared Sanatana Dharma to diseases such as malaria, dengue, and AIDS, calling for its eradication. DMK MP A. Raja, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, and others echoed the same. Yet, for the courts and government, such remarks do not fall under “hate speech”, and no action has been taken. With their financial and legal clout, these leaders easily obtain stays from courts, dragging cases indefinitely and ensuring they never reach a logical conclusion. The judiciary, critics allege, applies double standards, one for Hindus like Nupur Sharma, and another for individuals such as M.D. Shameer or professors at Ashoka University when it comes to hate speech.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on 25 August, informed his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan that he would be unable to attend the “Global Ayyappa Sangamam”, an event organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board to mark its Platinum Jubilee at Sabarimala on 20 September, citing pre-scheduled engagements. The decision came amid political criticism.
Reacting on social media, BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran accused Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister T.R.B. Raja, former Minister K. Ponmudy, and DMK treasurer T.R. Baalu of making “disgraceful remarks” against Hindus. He said:
“If Stalin intends to attend the event, as a first step he should make the above DMK leaders apologise for their remarks, start greeting Hindus on their festivals, and also attend Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations.”
