Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'let's wait' retort to Pawan Kalyan's Sanatana Dharma warning

A war of words erupted between Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Pawan Kalyan. While Kalyan is advocating for protective laws for Sanatana Dharma, Stalin has previously called for eradication of Sanatana.

In Short

• Pawan Kalyan warned those wanting to 'eradicate' Sanatana Dharma
• His remarks drew sharp criticism from several DMK leaders
• Last year, Udhayanidhi Stalin said Sanatana Dharma against justice, equality

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday gave a short and sharp retort to the attack on him by his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Pawan Kalyan, who dredged up his "Sanatana Dharma is like malaria and dengue" remark from last year that had triggered a massive political storm.

"Let's wait and see," Udhayanidhi Stalin said while speaking to reporters.

On Thursday, actor-turned politician Pawan Kalyan took a veiled jibe at the DMK leader and said that anyone who tries to wipe out Sanatana Dharma will be wiped out.

"Don't say that Sanatana Dharma is like a virus, and it will be destroyed. Whoever said this let me tell you sir... You cannot wipe out Sanatana Dharma. If anyone tries to wipe out Santana Dharma, let me tell you from the feet of Lord Balaji you will be wiped out," a clad-in-saffron Kalyan said while addressing a rally in Tirupati.

Kalyan, who declared himself an 'unapologetic Sanatani Hindu', also stressed the need to bring in legislation at the national level to protect Sanatana Dharma and establish Sanatana Dharma protection boards and national and state levels.

"A strong national Act is required to protect Sanatana Dharma and prevent actions that harm its beliefs. This Act should be enacted immediately and uniformly enforced across the Bharat. A 'Sanatana Dharma Protection Board' should be established at both the national and state level to oversee the implementation of this Act. Annual funds must be allocated to support this board and its activities," the Janasena chief said.

Though Kalyan did not name anyone, his speech drew sharp criticism from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

Senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan attacked Kalyan and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and said that those who were talking about Sanatana Dharma themselves were wiped out from Tamil Nadu.

"Those who were talking about Sanatana Dharma got wiped out from Tamil Nadu in the general elections. DMK won all the seats and the BJP got none. All men are born equal and that is the Tamil culture. It's about quality and equanimity. These people who talk about Manu Dharma. Let them bring a law like what we brought which allows people from any caste to become priests in temples. Then, I will become the first Sanatani," Elangovan said.

In September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin ignited widespread controversy by likening Sanatana Dharma to diseases like 'dengue' and 'malaria'. He went further to assert that Sanatana Dharma should be 'eradicated', drawing sharp reactions from various quarters.

"Few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria or corona. We have to eradicate this. That's how we have to eradicate Sanatana," Udhayanidhi had said while he was addressing a gathering at 'Sanatana Abolition Conference'.

"Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated. The name Sanatana is from Sanskrit. It is against social justice and equality," Udhayanidhi Stalin added.