In an apparent attempt to appease the Muslim community ahead of the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has drawn parallels between the Dravidian ideology followed by his party and the principles of Islam.
Speaking at an Iftar function organised by the DMK Minorities Welfare Rights Wing at New College in Chennai on Monday (March 16, 2026), Stalin claimed that the principles of Dravidian ideology and Islam are “fundamentally the same”.
“I welcome everyone who has gathered here for this Iftar event. I am very happy to participate in this programme and extend my Ramzan greetings to all those present. The ideals of the Dravidian movement and the principles of Islam are similar. From the time of the party’s foundation, the Islamic community has been very supportive of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The bond between the DMK and the Islamic community cannot be broken by any conspiracy…” said Stalin, who once compared the Sanatan Dharma with ‘malaria’ and ‘dengue’.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin says, "I welcome everyone who has gathered here for this Iftar event. I am very happy to participate in this programme and extend my Ramzan greetings to all those present. The ideals of the Dravidian movement and the… pic.twitter.com/cUEh8pBBxR
— IANS (@ians_india) March 16, 2026
“The religion that teaches equality, love, and generosity is our Islam. The principles of Dravidian ideology and the principles of Islam are fundamentally the same. As long as brotherhood and unity exist, no matter how many attempts or conspiracies take place, no one will be able to break the relationship between the DMK and the Muslim community,” the Tamil Nadu Deputy CM, who vowed to uproot the Sanatan Dharma, asserted, adding that his government continues to implement many schemes for Muslims. He accused the BJP of spreading hatred against the Muslim community.
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks come a day after his father, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, vowed that the DMK would stand by Muslims and speak for their rights, regardless of whether it was in power. MK Stalin made the statement while attending an Iftar feast organised by the DMK’s minority wing at Aminjikarai in Chennai. “I am happy to join this event during Ramadan. The bond between the Muslim community and the DMK has endured across generations,” MK Stalin had said, praising the Muslim community for its “deep commitment to charity, compassion, and social harmony”.
Tamil Nadu goes to the polls on April 23, 2026.
