MP BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma hits out at Udhayanidhi Stalin over Sanatan Dharma remarks
Synopsis
MP BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma has accused Udhayanidhi Stalin and the Congress of harbouring a deliberate aversion to Sanatan Dharma and acting as 'puppets of extremist elements.' The broadside reflects the BJP's sustained strategy of keeping Hindu cultural identity at the centre of political discourse.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma attacked Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatan Dharma on Wednesday .
Sharma alleged that Stalin, the Congress , and others show a persistent "aversion" to Sanatan Dharma and are acting as "puppets of extremist elements." He argued that Sanatan Dharma has withstood centuries of challenges and cannot be weakened by political statements.
The BJP in Madhya Pradesh has repeatedly raised Sanatan Dharma as a campaign issue, especially ahead of elections.
Sharma called on leaders to focus on development rather than making statements that hurt religious sentiments.
Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rameshwar Sharma on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatan Dharma, alleging that such statements reflect a deep-seated aversion to the belief system and are designed to drive political polarisation. Sharma, who represents the Huzur constituency, made the remarks in Bhopal.
What Sharma Said
The BJP MLA clubbed Udhayanidhi Stalin with the Indian National Congress (INC) and other opposition leaders, alleging they "always seem to have an aversion to Sanatan Dharma" and are acting as "puppets of extremist elements." He argued that political attacks on the faith would have no bearing on its strength or continued existence.
"Whether it is Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Indian National Congress, or others, they always seem to have an aversion to Sanatan Dharma and are being described as puppets of extremist elements," Sharma said.
He further stated: "Sanatan Dharma is not tied to any party or person. It is the culture and faith of crores of people. Those who abuse it for votes are only exposing themselves."
Context: Renewed Debate Over Stalin's Remarks
Sharma's remarks came amid a fresh round of political controversy over Udhayanidhi Stalin's earlier comments on Sanatan Dharma, which had drawn sharp reactions from BJP leaders across multiple states. The BJP has consistently accused opposition leaders of targeting Hindu traditions for electoral gain. This is not the first time the party has mobilised around the issue — Sanatan Dharma has been a recurring campaign theme for the Madhya Pradesh BJP, particularly in the run-up to elections.
Notably, the debate reflects a broader national pattern in which religious and cultural identity has increasingly become a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, with both sides accusing the other of political opportunism.
BJP's Broader Charge Against Opposition
Sharma alleged that parties critical of Sanatan Dharma are "isolated from the country's cultural roots" and are operating under the influence of extremist elements to engineer social divisions. He also called on political leaders to prioritise development over statements that, in his view, hurt religious sentiments.
"They are active in politics, but it is being said that their criticism and abuse of Sanatan Dharma will not have any impact on its strength or existence," he added.
What This Signals
The BJP's consistent framing of Sanatan Dharma as a political battleground suggests the party intends to keep the issue active in public discourse well beyond any single controversy. As opposition leaders continue to make remarks that invite such responses, the cycle of claim and counter-claim around religious identity is likely to intensify ahead of future electoral contests.
Point of View
' the party attempts to consolidate Hindu sentiment across caste lines. What mainstream coverage often misses is the asymmetry: the BJP benefits from keeping this debate alive regardless of outcome, while opposition parties struggle to reframe it without appearing to validate the charge. The real question is whether this cycle of provocation and counter-mobilisation is shaping policy outcomes — or simply crowding out the development conversation that Sharma himself claims to champion.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rameshwar Sharma say about Udhayanidhi Stalin and Sanatan Dharma?
Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma accused Udhayanidhi Stalin of harbouring an aversion to Sanatan Dharma and alleged that he and the Congress are acting as puppets of extremist elements. He argued that such political attacks would have no impact on the strength or existence of Sanatan Dharma.
Why has Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatan Dharma sparked controversy?
Udhayanidhi Stalin's earlier comments on Sanatan Dharma drew sharp reactions from BJP leaders across multiple states, who accused him of targeting Hindu traditions for political gain. The BJP has consistently used such remarks to mobilise Hindu sentiment and frame the opposition as culturally alienated.
Who is Rameshwar Sharma?
Rameshwar Sharma is a BJP MLA representing the Huzur constituency in Madhya Pradesh. He has been a vocal party spokesperson on issues related to Hindu culture and religious identity.
Is the Sanatan Dharma debate a recurring political issue in Madhya Pradesh?
Yes, the BJP in Madhya Pradesh has frequently raised Sanatan Dharma as a campaign issue, particularly ahead of elections. The party frames it as a matter of cultural identity and regularly attacks opposition leaders who make critical remarks about the tradition.
What did Sharma say about the role of development in politics?
Sharma urged political leaders to focus on development rather than making statements that hurt religious sentiments, arguing that leaders who criticise Sanatan Dharma for electoral gain are only exposing themselves to public scrutiny.
