CHENNAI: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA VMS Mustafa appeared to endorse remarks made by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on “abolishing Sanatan”, triggering criticism from BJP and right-wing groups.Speaking outside the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Mustafa said, “We too subscribe to the ideals of Periyar and Ambedkar. We too have entered the fray to abolish Sanatana.”The Tamil phrase used by him, “Sanatanathae Ozhika Porondaan Kallatthulla Erangirukom”, translates to “We too have stepped into the battlefield to eradicate Sanatana.”Mustafa’s comments came a day after Udhayanidhi Stalin reignited the Sanatan Dharma debate during his maiden speech as leader of opposition in the Assembly.“Sanatanam that divides people must certainly be eradicated,” Udhayanidhi had said in his concluding remarks, reviving a controversy similar to the one sparked by his earlier statements on Sanatan Dharma in 2023.The comments triggered sharp reactions from BJP leaders. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran accused Udhayanidhi of insulting Hindu sentiments and said, “Your hatred for Hinduism would lead to your downfall.”BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also criticised the remarks, saying, “Mocking and targeting the faith of millions of people is not courage, it’s arrogance.”During his Assembly speech, Udhayanidhi also raised objections over the order of songs played during the chief minister’s swearing-in ceremony, claiming that “Tamil Thai Vaazhthu” was not accorded due prominence. He alleged that the inclusion of “Vande Mataram” before it had angered sections of people in the state.The DMK leader further said the opposition would function as a “constructive force” in the Assembly and remarked in a lighter vein that he and Chief Minister Vijay had studied in the same college, while claiming DMK belonged to the “senior batch” in politics because the party first came to power in 1967.
