Udhayanidhi Infamous For Anti-Sanatan Remarks Appointed Tamil Nadu Deputy CM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appointed his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, known for his anti-Sanatan remarks, as Deputy Chief Minister on September 28. Senthil Balaji has also been re-inducted, according to a Raj Bhavan communique. Udhayanidhi will also oversee the portfolio of Planning and Development. Chief Minister MK Stalin recommended this allocation to Governor RN Ravi.

The cabinet reshuffle includes several key changes: K. Ponmudy will transition from Higher Education Minister to Minister for Forests, Environment, and Climate Change. Siva V. Meyyanathan has been named the new Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, while N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj will take charge of Human Resources Management and Ex-Servicemen Welfare. M. Mathiventhan will lead the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare portfolios.

RS Rajakannappan has been assigned the dual roles of Minister for Milk and Dairy Development as well as Khadi & Village Industries. Thangam Tennarasu will manage the Environment and Pollution Control Board portfolios alongside his existing responsibilities in Finance and Archaeology.

Additionally, DMK leaders SM Nasar and V. Senthilbalaji, who recently secured bail in a money laundering case, are set to be re-inducted into the council of ministers. New additions to the council include Govi Chezhian and R. Rajendran.

However, some ministers have been dropped from their posts: T. Mano Thangaraj from Milk & Dairy Development, Gingee K.S. Masthan from Minorities Welfare, and K. Ramachandran from Non-Resident Tamils Welfare and Tourism.

Controversy Surrounding Udhayanidhi Stalin

Udhayanidhi Stalin recently sparked controversy during a speech at the 'Sanatana Abolition Conference' where he compared Sanatana Dharma to "dengue" and "malaria," stating it should be "eradicated." He argued, "Few things cannot be opposed; they should be abolished. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated," which has drawn significant backlash.