The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, for what they perceive as an "anti-Hindu" stance in their Diwali greetings. The controversy stems from Udhayanidhi Stalin's statement wishing "Happy Diwali to those who have faith," which BJP leaders interpreted as discriminatory towards Hindus.

This is not the first time the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) government has faced such accusations. The BJP has frequently targeted the DMK for allegedly ignoring Hindu festivals. Traditionally, DMK leaders, including the late former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, have refrained from extending greetings for Hindu festivals, aligning with the party's rationalistic beliefs.

The BJP's criticism has been sharp and multi-pronged. A.N.S. Prasad, the Tamil Nadu BJP media in-charge, condemned Udhayanidhi Stalin's message as an insult to Hindus, predicting political repercussions for the DMK in upcoming elections. He questioned whether Udhayanidhi Stalin would extend similar "for those who believe" greetings for festivals of other religions. Prasad further stated that the DMK is taking Hindus for granted and lacks the basic courtesy to greet them for Diwali. He asserted that while the DMK is known as an anti-Hindu party, when in power, they are constitutionally obligated to treat all faiths equally.

Other BJP leaders echoed similar sentiments. Tamilisai Soundararajan, a senior BJP leader and former governor, stated that the Stalin family is "fundamentally Hindu" regardless of their beliefs. She criticized the DMK's differential treatment of Hindu festivals compared to others, where greetings are extended without the "for those who believe" qualifier.

In the past, the BJP has also questioned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for not extending Diwali wishes. In 2023, BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan accused Stalin of being "anti-Hindu" for this reason, arguing that as Chief Minister, he has a responsibility to treat people of all faiths equally.

Udhayanidhi Stalin has been under scrutiny for his remarks on Sanatan Dharma. In early 2023, he stated that Sanatan Dharma opposes social justice principles and should be eradicated. Reacting to the controversy, Udhayanidhi stated that he would never apologize for his remarks.

Some observers believe that Udhayanidhi Stalin's recent Diwali greetings, even with the "for those who have faith" qualification, represent a shift in the DMK's stance. However, the BJP remains skeptical, with some leaders suggesting that the greetings were only offered due to the BJP consistently raising the issue.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the DMK and BJP in Tamil Nadu, particularly regarding religious matters. The BJP has been actively trying to gain ground in the state, and these kinds of incidents provide them with opportunities to criticize the DMK and consolidate Hindu votes.