A fresh political controversy has erupted in Udhayanidhi Stalin after he repeated his remarks against “Sanatan Dharma” during the Tamil Nadu Assembly session held in the presence of newly elected Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

During his speech, Udhayanidhi said that “Sanatan Dharma that divides people must be eradicated,” reviving the debate that first exploded nationally in 2023 when he compared Sanatan practices to diseases like dengue and malaria. His latest statement immediately drew criticism from BJP leaders and Hindu organisations, who accused him of insulting Hindu beliefs once again.

The remarks came at a politically sensitive moment after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which saw Vijay’s party, TVK, come to power and push the DMK into the opposition benches. Udhayanidhi, now serving as Leader of the Opposition, also used his Assembly speech to stress that Tamil cultural identity should receive priority in state functions.

Several reports noted that Udhayanidhi also referenced his and Vijay’s shared Loyola College background and said the DMK would act as a “constructive opposition” while highlighting the party’s long governance experience in Tamil Nadu.

The controversy has reignited nationwide discussion around his earlier “eradication of Sanatan Dharma” comments, which had previously led to court cases, Supreme Court observations, and political backlash across India