'Wanted To End Caste System Dividing People': Udhayanidhi Stalin On Sanatana Remark Row
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Friday, May 15, made a clarification on his controversial remark that the Sanatana, which he sees as dividing people through caste, must be eradicated. The former deputy chief minister and DMK leader said that by the remark, he wanted to abolish the caste system dividing people.
The DMK leader had stoked a fresh controversy over his Sanatan Dharma eradication remark in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on the first day of the of the newly elected Tamil Nadu assembly. The reiteration of theDMK leader’s remark against the Sanatan, sparked outrage, drawing backlash from BJP’s K Annamalai and protests in Madurai.
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On Friday, Udhayanidhi clarified that he had meant to abolish that system which divides people into upper and lower castes. “Abolishing the caste system did not mean that no one should go to the temple. It meant that everyone should have equal rights, not only in the temple but also in society, the LoP explained in a post on ‘X’
“When I spoke in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, I said the caste system that divides people must be abolished. Some people criticise me for this. I am not a person who is afraid,” the DMK leader added.
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Notably, TVK leaders distanced themselves, opposing Hindutva and caste discrimination while respecting faiths.
In 2023, Udhayanidhi had sparked a row stating that Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion, arguing that uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality. The remark had triggered outrage from sections of political prties and religious groups.
