In a fresh escalation of the ongoing row over Sanatana Dharma, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and newly sworn-in Minister Aadhav Arjuna who is also Joseph Vijay’s close aide, has defended the ideological stance behind DMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial remarks, effectively signaling ideological convergence between the two parties.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, in his maiden speech as Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on May 12, reiterated his call that “Sanatana Dharma, which divides people, must be eradicated.” The remarks echo his 2023 comments comparing Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria that need to be eliminated rather than merely opposed.
TVK MLA V.M.S. Mustafa had earlier stoked the fire by stating that his party had “entered the field to eradicate Sanatana,” invoking EV Ramasamy Naicker (known as ‘Periyar’ by his followers) and Ambedkar. Ironically he’s the MLA of Madurai Central where the world-famous historic Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is located.
Amid backlash, Aadhav Arjuna stepped in to clarify and contextualize the position.
Speaking to the media, Arjuna asserted that TVK is “not against Hindus, but against Hindutva.” He argued that the term ‘Sanatana Dharma’ carries different connotations regionally: in the North, it broadly means Hinduism, while in Tamil Nadu, it refers to caste hierarchy and inequality. “Hindus, Muslims, Christians — we treat everyone equally. That is the Indian Constitution,” he emphasized.
“Even with Udhyanidhi also.. The same policy. We don’t have any different policy.”, he said coming across as supporting Udhayanidhi Stalin’s hate speech.
Arjuna further stated that TVK stands firmly against the caste system and inequality while ‘respecting every religion’.
“TVK is against caste system, inequality, but we respect every religion equally.
We aren’t against Hindus, but against Hindutva.”
– TN Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Udhayanidhi’s remarks on Sanatana Dharma pic.twitter.com/xJLPQmrb66
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) May 14, 2026
Joseph Vijay Doesn’t Object To Eradicate Sanatana Dharma Hate Speech
On 12 May 2026, leader of opposition and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin once again triggered controversy after reiterating remarks against Sanatana Dharma during his speech in the Assembly, while Chief Minister Joseph Vijay was looking on in the House.
“Victory to Tamil. Long live Tamil Nadu. Sanatanam, which divides the people, must certainly be eradicated. Thank you, greetings.”, Udhayanidhi Stalin said.
However, Vijay nodded and greeted Udhayanidhi with his hands folded as the latter concluded the speech.
Vijay has maintained silence on the entire hate speech against Sanatana Dharma while his lieutenants have been speaking the same language as DMK.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
