Sanatana, according to Udhayanidhi Stalin, must be destroyed since it opposes the concept of social justice.
On Monday, Udhayanidhi Stalin, a minister for the Tamil Nadu state, maintained his defiance in the face of intense political backlash following his inflammatory remark calling for the destruction of "Sanatana Dharma."

Udhayanidhi Stalin, a minister for Tamil Nadu, created controversy with a statement that called for the destruction of "Sanatana Dharma."(X/ANI)
Udhayanidhi Stalin, a minister for Tamil Nadu, created controversy with a statement that called for the destruction of "Sanatana Dharma."(X/ANI)

"The day before yesterday, I discussed it (Sanatana Dharma) at a gathering. I'll keep saying the same thing over and over again, whatever I said...I did not simply include Hindus; I included all the religions.I only spoke against caste prejudice, that's all," the DMK leader was reported as saying in Thoothukudi by ANI.

Udhayanidhi Stalin declared that Sanatana was opposed to the concept of social justice and needed to be abolished while speaking at a gathering sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association.

"Some things can't be contested; they should only be done away with. Dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, and corona cannot be fought. This must be eliminated; that is how Sanatana must be eliminated. It should be destroyed, not opposed to Sanatana," he was reported as saying.

The Bharatiya Janata Party began an all-out assault against the DMK leader, alleging that he had called for the genocide of Hindus; however, Udhayanidhi later refuted this claim.

"Udhayanidhi Stalin, a minister in the DMK Government and the son of Tamilnadu CM MK Stalin, has connected Sanatana Dharma to malaria and dengue... He believes it ought to be completely destroyed, not only condemned. Amit Malviya, the leader of the BJP's IT unit, had written on X, "In sum, he is calling for the extermination of 80% of Bharat, who follow Sanatan Dharma.

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I never asked for the genocide of individuals who follow Sanatan Dharma, Udhayanidhi had responded. Sanatan Dharma is a philosophy that uses caste and religion as a means of dividing people. Sanatan Dharma must be eradicated in order to protect equality and humanity. I firmly stand by anything I said.

Udhayanidhi Stalin has received criticism for his remark from the saffron party and a number of religious figures. While claiming to respect all religions, the Congress, who also happens to be the DMK's partner in power in the state, also asserted that every political party has the freedom to voice its opinions.