Udhayanidhi clarifies on Sanatan Dharma remark, says wanted to abolish caste system dividing people

DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin clarified his remarks on Sanatan Dharma, stating his goal is to abolish the caste system that divides people. He emphasized that his stance advocates for equal rights in temples and society rather than opposing religious beliefs.

Chennai: DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, who stoked a fresh controversy over his Sanatan Dharma eradication remark in Tamil Nadu Assembly, has said 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, he explained in a post on ‘X’ on Thursday.

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“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 Dravidian movement emerged out of opposition. In that sense, I would like to give a small explanation,” the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly said.

He said, “When I say that the caste system should be abolished, it does not mean that no one should go to the temple. It means that everyone should have equal rights, not only in the temple, but also in the society.” He had said so in that sense and added that he wanted to abolish the system that divides people into upper caste and lower caste.

“I also spoke on the principles spoken by Periyar, Ambedkar, Anna and Kalaignar. We are not against anyone’s belief in God. But we will strongly oppose inequality and oppression,” Udhayanidhi said.

On Tuesday, in his maiden speech as the LoP in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Udhayanidhi called for the “abolition” of Sanatana Dharma, claiming it divides people, repeating the controversial remarks he made in September 2023.