Chennai: Veteran actor and director Arjun Sarja has defended Sanatan Dharma, calling it a way of life that cannot be removed, following recent comments by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Speaking to reporters after a screening of his new film Blast, which opened to favorable notices on May 28, Arjun discussed the issue without naming the politician directly. He stated that Sanatan Dharma is not a religion but a way of life that offers lessons against theft and envy, and stresses caring for aging parents just as they cared for their children. He argued that rejecting it would mean abandoning parents, which he said is impossible, and added that the tradition cannot be dismissed or erased. Arjun, known for his devotion to Lord Hanuman and for building a temple in Chennai, said his comments stem from a strong grasp of these values. His statements have circulated widely online, with many viewing them as a clear response to ongoing criticism of Sanatan Dharma from DMK figures. In the same exchange, Arjun voiced full support for his friend Joseph Vijay, who recently took office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, saying he is certain Vijay will serve the people well and urging patience. The remarks occur amid heightened political tension in the state after Udhayanidhi Stalin repeated his call to eradicate Sanatan Dharma during an Assembly session on May 13, describing it as divisive. He had previously compared it to diseases like dengue and malaria, drawing legal complaints. Chief Minister Vijay, present during the latest remarks, has not commented publicly.
