On Sunday (3 September), Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde strongly criticised Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), alleging that Uddhav Thackeray indirectly endorsed Udhayanidhi Stalin's anti-Hindu comments by remaining silent on the issue and by hosting DMK leaders.

He challenged him to denounce DMK leader's statements publicly and said that otherwise it will be inferred that he endorses the hateful rhetoric against Hinduism.

Shinde took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval of Uddhav Thackeray's lack of response, stating that he firmly believes that the revered Balasaheb Thackeray, known as the 'Hindu Hriday Samrat,' would have shown distress and instructed Shiv Sainiks to denounce such anti-Hindu sentiments.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, who serves as a minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and is the son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, made a statement on Saturday (2 September) that has received strong backlash.

He said that Sanatana Dharma is like malaria and dengue and so it must be eradicated and not merely opposed.

In a video clip of his speech circulating on X (formerly Twitter), he can be heard expressing gratitude to the event organizers for allowing him to address the conference dedicated to the eradication of Sanatana Dharma.

His comments faced strong criticism from Hindu organisations as well as the BJP, which labeled them as a "call for genocide."

Following the backlash, Udhayanidhi responded by accusing the BJP of distorting his statement.

On X (formerly Twitter), Udhayanidhi, however, reiterated his intention to "eliminate" Sanatana Dharma and declared that he would continue to advocate for the same.

"I stand firmly by every word I have spoken. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma."

"I am ready to present the extensive writings of Periyar and Ambedkar, who conducted in-depth research on Sanatan Dharma and its negative impact on society in any forum," he said.