Actor Arjun Sarja calls Sanatan Dharma a way of life amid DMK's eradication remark
At a film event, actor-drector Arjun Sarja said Sanatan Dharma is a way of life and outlined the values he believes it teaches. His remarks comes after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin repeated his call for Sanatanam's eradication.
Actor Arjun Sarja weighed in on the ongoing Sanatan Dharma debate in Tamil Nadu, calling it “a way of life” and urging youngsters to understand its values. His remarks come days after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin reignited controversy by reiterating his call for the “eradication of Sanatan” during the Tamil Nadu Assembly session earlier this month.
Speaking at a film event in Chennai, Arjun Sarja said Sanatan Dharma teaches people how to live and behave. “Sanatan [Dharma], from what I know, is a way of life. It teaches you how to behave, not to steal, and not to feel jealous. Sanatan Dharma reminds youngsters to take care of their parents like how they care for their children,” he said.
The actor further added that those opposing Sanatan Dharma should reflect on its teachings. “If Sanatan Dharma shouldn't be there, they should send their parents away. Is it possible?” he asked.
Clarifying his stand further, Arjun said, “Sanatan Dharma is not a religion, it's a way of life. If everyone understands that, it'd be nice. I have shared what I thought with you all.”
His comments arrive amid renewed political debate surrounding the subject in Tamil Nadu. On May 13, Udhayanidhi Stalin once again spoke about Sanatan Dharma during the Assembly session after the 2026 state elections.
“Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated,” Udhayanidhi Stalin, former actor, son of former Chief Minister MK Stalin, said on the floor of the House. His remarks echoed the controversial comments he made earlier, when he compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases such as dengue and malaria and called for its eradication.
The earlier statement had triggered nationwide outrage and led to multiple court cases being filed against the DMK leader.
Despite the fresh remarks creating another wave of reactions, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who was present in the Assembly, did not respond to the issue.
Arjun Sarja’s statement has now added a film industry voice to the politically charged conversation surrounding Sanatan Dharma in the state.
Actor Arjun Sarja weighed in on the ongoing Sanatan Dharma debate in Tamil Nadu, calling it “a way of life” and urging youngsters to understand its values. His remarks come days after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin reignited controversy by reiterating his call for the “eradication of Sanatan” during the Tamil Nadu Assembly session earlier this month.
Speaking at a film event in Chennai, Arjun Sarja said Sanatan Dharma teaches people how to live and behave. “Sanatan [Dharma], from what I know, is a way of life. It teaches you how to behave, not to steal, and not to feel jealous. Sanatan Dharma reminds youngsters to take care of their parents like how they care for their children,” he said.
The actor further added that those opposing Sanatan Dharma should reflect on its teachings. “If Sanatan Dharma shouldn't be there, they should send their parents away. Is it possible?” he asked.
Clarifying his stand further, Arjun said, “Sanatan Dharma is not a religion, it's a way of life. If everyone understands that, it'd be nice. I have shared what I thought with you all.”
His comments arrive amid renewed political debate surrounding the subject in Tamil Nadu. On May 13, Udhayanidhi Stalin once again spoke about Sanatan Dharma during the Assembly session after the 2026 state elections.
“Sanathanam, which separated people, should be eradicated,” Udhayanidhi Stalin, former actor, son of former Chief Minister MK Stalin, said on the floor of the House. His remarks echoed the controversial comments he made earlier, when he compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases such as dengue and malaria and called for its eradication.
The earlier statement had triggered nationwide outrage and led to multiple court cases being filed against the DMK leader.
Despite the fresh remarks creating another wave of reactions, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who was present in the Assembly, did not respond to the issue.
Arjun Sarja’s statement has now added a film industry voice to the politically charged conversation surrounding Sanatan Dharma in the state.
