DMK, it seems, did not learn any lessons from its alleged anti-Hindu stance, repeated calls for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma, and accusations over the demolition of more than 200 temples during its five-year rule, despite voters unseating it in the 2026 State Assembly polls and replacing it with the two-year-old political party led by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay.
On May 12, Udhayanidhi Stalin, acting as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, reiterated his call for the “eradication” of Sanatana Dharma. The remarks triggered strong reactions across the state, similar to his earlier speech in 2023.
As rightly pointed out by a netizen, this time Udhayanidhi chose to make the statement on the floor of the State Assembly. The vlogger said: “Udhayanidhi Stalin is back to chanting the same old ‘eradicate Sanatana’ slogan, this time inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly itself. CM Vijay sat right there in silence, hands folded, as open attacks on Sanatana Dharma echoed through the House. When crores of Hindus are insulted openly, the silence of a CM speaks volumes. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Udhayanidhi Stalin is back to chanting the same old “eradicate Sanatana” slogan; this time inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly itself.
CM Vijay sat right there in silence, hands folded, as open attacks on Sanatana Dharma echoed through the House.When crores of Hindus are insulted… pic.twitter.com/EFPbM1j6Eb
— Shanthi Kumar (@BJPShanthikumar) May 12, 2026
The lone BJP MLA M. Bhojarajan said: “This is the time to honour our unanimously elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Nothing more is required today. Certain things happened, but I am not prepared to answer them.”
#WATCH | Chennai | On LoP's statement on Santana Dharma in TN Assembly, BJP MLA M. Bhojarajan says, "This is the time to honour our unanimously elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Nothing more is required today. Certain things happened but I am not prepared to answer them." pic.twitter.com/pRHtLbAjqB
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026
Another netizen pointed out: “Today, Udhayanidhi Stalin once again said, ‘Sanatana must be eradicated.’ But what stood out even more was that CM Joseph Vijay did not oppose the statement at all — instead, he greeted Stalin respectfully with folded hands. If Udhayanidhi had said ‘Christianity must be eradicated,’ would Vijay have still remained silent? For many people, Vijay’s silence today will only strengthen the belief that he too is against the Sanatana religion.”
Today, Udhayanidhi stalin once again said, “Sanatana must be eradicated.”
But what stood out even more was that Joseph Vijay did not oppose the statement at all – instead, he greeted Stalin respectfully with folded hands.
If Udhayanidhi had said “Christianity must be… pic.twitter.com/No6pv9hnoP
— Amit Kumar Sindhi (@AMIT_GUJJU) May 12, 2026
Narayanan Thirupathy, Chief Spokesperson of BJP, said in a post on X: “Udhayanidhi Stalin, you stated today in the Legislative Assembly that Sanatana, which divides people, must definitely be eradicated. Do realise that it is precisely because you spoke about eradicating Sanatana that the people have separated you and the DMK from power and thrown you out. If you continue to speak in this manner, understand that the people of Tamil Nadu will chase away and completely eradicate the DMK.”
Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin @Office_of_Udhay , you had stated today in the Legislative Assembly that Sanatana, which divides people, must definitely be eradicated — Do realize that it is precisely because you spoke about eradicating Sanatana that the people have today separated you…
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) May 12, 2026
Another BJP functionary, Vinod P. Selvam, cautioned him, saying: “Because of these speeches of yours, it was the DMK which got eradicated from Tamil Nadu. Sanatana Dharma and its values will live on till the last human breathes on the planet.”
Because of these speeches of yours, it was the @arivalayam which got eradicated from Tamilnadu.
Sanathan Dharma and its values will live on till the last human breathes on the planet. @BJP4India https://t.co/AM25qBohRT— Vinoj P Selvam (@VinojBJP) May 12, 2026
Vinod Bansal, National Spokesperson of VHP, said in a post on X: “Unfortunately, they could not learn a lesson from their shameful defeat in the recent Assembly elections. Dear Mr Udhayanidhi Stalin, ‘Sanatan’ always unites people, but its power this time separated you, your party and its ideology from power and the people of Tamil Nadu and compelled you to sit in opposition. Remember, many people who dreamed of eradicating Sanatana have themselves been eradicated many times in our history. Your anti-Sanatana mentality will also be eradicated soon. But the bigger question is: where are the INDIA bloc partners? Why are they silent on this anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan and anti-national statement?”
He further added: “Are they really with the ‘Udhaya Nidhi’ whose party is on the path of ‘Astanchal’ (end)? Their shameful silence will mean that they are also going on the same path. The Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, today said on the first day of the current session that ‘Sanatan, which separated people, should be eradicated’. The ruling party of the state must also clarify its stand on the issue.”
Unfortunately they could not learn a lesson from their shameful defeat in recent assembly elections.
Dear Mr Uday Nidhi Stalin, "Sanatan" always unites people but its power, this time, separated you, your party and its ideology from the power and people of Tamilnadu and…— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal বিনোদ বনসল వినోద్ బన్సాల్ (@vinod_bansal) May 12, 2026
Poll analyst JC Sri Ram said: “Thanks to Udhayanidhi for making the statement once again. Lots of speculation around a DMK-BJP alliance which was circulating on social media has now been put to rest.”
Thanks to @Udhaystalin for making the statement once again.
Lots of speculation around DMK-BJP alliance which was going around in social media is now put to rest.
— JVC Sreeram (Bulls Eye) (@sreeramjvc) May 12, 2026
Critics pointed out that “the silence of CM Joseph Vijay is a serious concern. Will he endorse the statement by not asking the Speaker to expunge it? Will he keep silent if another member called for the eradication of Christianity or Islam from Bharat? Udhayanidhi made this speech inside the Assembly to avoid legal cases in view of the privileges and immunities he enjoys as a member.”
They further argued: “Earlier, in September 2023 at a public event, he spoke in what was considered the stand of the DMK. Now, by speaking inside the Assembly, it becomes an official claim and stand of the party. Through this speech, DMK, through him, wanted to declare that the eradication of Sanatana is its official stand and that it would implement it if it returns to power next time.”
They also stated: “He was emboldened by the delay in courts taking up the cases filed across the country. He knows the DMK’s money power and strong lobby would protect him. Our courts follow two different yardsticks on hate speech, for example one for Nupur Sharma and another for Alt News’ Mohammed Zubair.”
The Supreme Court, in November 2024, reportedly observed: “You (Udhayanidhi Stalin) abused freedom of speech and religion.” Earlier, in March 2024, the Madras High Court had refused to issue a writ of quo warranto against Udhayanidhi Stalin and two others on petitions questioning their right to hold office over controversial comments made on Sanatana Dharma the previous year. However, the court observed that people holding high posts must act more responsibly and verify historical events before making such remarks.
Sanathanam that divides people should be abolished: Udhayanidhi Stalin inside Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Not one person objects.
In 2024, the Supreme Court had pulled up Udhayanidhi for similar comments, calling them abuse of freedom of speech and religion pic.twitter.com/wuDBLnZkMx
— Padmaja Joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) May 12, 2026
In September last year, a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta deferred to 2026 Udhayanidhi Stalin’s plea seeking consolidation of multiple FIRs and complaints filed across India over his 2023 “eradicate Sanatan Dharma” remarks. Critics allege that the DMK believes it can easily evade legal action because of its strong lobbying network at multiple levels.
