DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has clarified his controversial remarks about “abolishing” Sanatan Dharma after sparking a fresh uproar in Tamil Nadu. He said he meant ending the caste system that divides people into upper and lower castes, arguing it would not stop anyone from visiting temples. In an X post, he said his position is rooted in Dravidian movement ideas and the principles of Periyar, Ambedkar, Anna and Kalaignar, opposing inequality and oppression.
A new controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after TVK MLA S Mustafa said his party entered politics to “eradicate Sanatan Dharma,” citing Periyar and Ambedkar. The remarks follow Udhayanidhi Stalin’s earlier comments that triggered a nationwide backlash, with critics accusing the TVK of targeting Hindu beliefs for political advantage. The dispute is intensifying across parties and public platforms.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay won a trust vote with 144 votes in favour as the DMK staged a walkout, accusing the TVK government of misgovernance. Udhayanidhi Stalin challenged the government’s majority and alleged outside support, while also flagging recent political realignments tied to the AIADMK.
RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale hit back at DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call to eradicate Sanatan Dharma, saying it will not disappear. He compared Sanatan to an eternal banyan tree that cannot be wished away, arguing it reflects India’s spirit and worldview rather than just a religious practice. Hosabale also claimed Sanatan can stay fresh while embracing modernity.
A decades-old photograph of actor Vijay and Udhayanidhi Stalin is trending online as Tamil Nadu braces for a high-stakes assembly face-off. The two never shared screen space, but their ties run deeper: Udhayanidhi produced Vijay’s 2008 film Kuruvi, marking his debut as a producer. Now, the past is fueling fresh political curiosity.
Udhayanidhi Stalin congratulated C. Joseph Vijay on being sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, while signaling he will remain a strong opposition voice. The DMK leader also credited MK Stalin for appointing him as Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, saying he is committed to serving the public and holding the government accountable.
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The DMK Legislature Party meeting in Chennai decided on new leadership roles under party president MK Stalin. Udhayanidhi Stalin was elected as Leader of the Legislature Party, while KN Nehru and EV Velu were appointed Deputy Leader and party whip. The changes were finalized at Kalaignar Arangam in Anna Arivalayam on Thursday, signalling a reshuffle ahead of the legislature’s next phase.
After actor-politician Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, the DMK shifted to the opposition in the Assembly. At a DMK Legislature Party meeting in Chennai led by MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin was elected leader of the DMK Legislature Party. With DMK emerging as the second-largest party, his role sets the tone for Opposition strategy going forward.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reignited a language row by asserting that states that implement Hindi eventually lose their mother tongues. He pointed to Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Punjab as examples, while invoking the legacy of the Tamil language movement linked to Periyar and C N Annadurai. BJP responded sharply to the claim as the dispute escalated.
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