VHP demands apology and expulsion of Udhayanidhi Stalin over Sanatan Dharma remarks
The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Tuesday demanded an unconditional apology from Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatan Dharma and urged the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker to expel him from the House and remove his comments from official proceedings.
The controversy erupted after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader reiterated his earlier stand, stating that “Sanatan Dharma, which divides people, must certainly be abolished” during his speech in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Reacting strongly, VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal accused Udhayanidhi Stalin of repeatedly hurting the sentiments of Hindus through his statements on Sanatan Dharma.
Bansal said the DMK leader should apologise for the remarks and asserted that such comments should be removed from Assembly records. He also urged the Speaker to take strict action against the legislator.
The VHP further criticised INDIA bloc parties and the Tamil Nadu government for remaining silent on the issue, claiming their response reflected tacit approval of the remarks.
Targeting the DMK, Bansal said repeated attacks on Sanatan Dharma could politically damage the party further. He claimed the people of Tamil Nadu had already rejected such politics and warned of more setbacks if similar statements continued.
The remarks have once again reignited the political debate surrounding Sanatan Dharma, nearly three years after Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial 2023 statement triggered nationwide criticism and multiple legal complaints from pro-Hindutva organisations.
During his Assembly speech, Udhayanidhi Stalin also raised concerns regarding the placement of “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” during the recent swearing-in ceremony of the Tamil Nadu government. He said the Tamil invocation song should always receive primary importance at official events in the state.
