Image Source: Vikatan
DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin offered special prayers at the Sengeni Amman temple near his constituency before launching his election campaign in the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency, from where he is seeking re-election in the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, according to a report by Vikatan.
The temple visit, which preceded his door-to-door canvassing programme across the constituency, has drawn significant public attention and political commentary, largely because it comes barely three years after Udhayanidhi triggered a nationwide storm by publicly declaring that Sanatana Dharma must be “eradicated,” drawing parallels with diseases such as dengue, malaria and corona.
Temple Visit Before the Campaign Trail
According to Vikatan’s report, Udhayanidhi Stalin participated in a special worship at the Sengeni Amman temple situated near his constituency, before formally beginning his election outreach. The visit was part of what DMK functionaries described as a customary beginning to his campaign, with local cadre and supporters accompanying him as he proceeded to meet voters across the streets of Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni.
The Sanatana Dharma Controversy – Revisited
In September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin, speaking at a conference in Chennai, made the now-infamous remark that Sanatana Dharma was not something that could merely be opposed but had to be eradicated entirely, likening it to diseases that harm society. The statement drew furious reactions from BJP, Hindu organisations, and Hindus across the country with multiple FIRs filed across the board. Despite that, he stood by his comments and refused to apologize.
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