Break Chains of Sanatan With Education: Kamal Haasan’s Comment Reignites Udhayanidhi's Controversy

Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan has stirred a fresh controversy with his remarks on Sanatan during an event in Chennai on Sunday.

Speaking at a function organised by the Agaram Foundation, the Rajya Sabha MP described education as the only tool capable of dismantling both dictatorship and Sanatan, drawing parallels to earlier comments made by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin that had sparked a nationwide debate last year.

"Education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatan," ANI quoted Kamal Haasan as saying. Urging people to invest in learning, he added, "Don't take anything else in your hands, only education. We cannot win without it, because the majority can make you lose. Majority fools (Moodargal) will make you lose; knowledge alone will seem defeated. That's why we must hold on to education firmly."

Haasan praised the Agaram Foundation's efforts, calling its work one of the few remaining sources of genuine education and unconditional love. "Apart from our mothers, institutions like Agaram Foundation are among the few places where we can still find them," he said.

He went on to compare the nature of fame in cinema to the challenges of social work. "In cinema, we are crowned for our performances. But in social work, we are given a crown of thorns. It takes a strong heart to accept that crown. No one else will do this for us-we have to do it ourselves," he remarked.

Touching upon the impact of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), Haasan said the law has limited the reach of organisations like Agaram Foundation. "Even Agaram Foundation, despite its best efforts, cannot help students beyond a point because the law doesn't allow it. To change the law, we need strength, and that strength can only come from education," he stated.

The actor-politician also shared that he had spoken to Chief Minister M K Stalin regarding the hurdles NGOs face. "Yesterday, I told the Chief Minister that NGOs are not asking for money-they're only asking for permission to work. He assured me that steps are being taken in that direction," he said, expressing pride in being part of the cause.

He concluded with a reflection on the nature of leadership. "Leadership isn't about staying in power, it's about making change happen-even if your name fades away. It has taken me 70 years to understand this," he said.

Background: Udhayanidhi Stalin's 2023 Sanatana Dharma Controversy

Kamal Haasan's remarks come nearly a year after Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin made headlines for comparing Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria. Speaking at an event in September 2023 organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, Udhayanidhi had said:

"We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. We have to eradicate them. That's how we have to eradicate Sanatana." He had further stated that the event was rightly named the Sanatana Abolition Conference and not merely an anti-Sanatana gathering.

"A few things cannot be opposed, they should be abolished. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated," he had said.

The comment had drawn sharp criticism from several Hindu groups and opposition leaders, sparking nationwide protests and debates on freedom of speech, religion, and the role of political leaders in public discourse.

Kamal Haasan's latest remarks are expected to rekindle the debate, with political and religious groups likely to respond in the coming days.