Supreme Court Criticised Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin

Supreme Court today strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his controversial statement calling for the “eradication” of Sanatana Dharma. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta questioned the minister’s choice to approach the highest court after making provocative remarks. The court emphasised that, being a minister, he should be fully cognizant of the potential repercussions of his words.

The Supreme Court Criticised the Individual for Misusing Their Rights

The Supreme Court criticised the individual for misusing their rights under Article 19(1)(a) and Article 25 of the Constitution. The court questioned the decision to now invoke Article 32 for filing a plea in the Supreme Court, highlighting the awareness of the potential consequences of the earlier statements made. The bench pointed out that as a minister, the individual should be well-informed about the repercussions of their words, stating, “You are not a layman. You are a minister. You should know the consequences.” The matter has been adjourned until March 15.

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Singhvi Urged the Court to Consolidate all the FIRs Filed Against Stalin

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Udhayanidhi Stalin, appealed to the Supreme Court seeking relief. Singhvi urged the court to consolidate or club together all the FIRs filed against Stalin. He highlighted that these FIRs had been lodged in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Maharashtra.

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In September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin, sparked controversy with a statement made during a conference. He expressed the view that Sanatana Dharma opposes social justice and equality and advocated for its “eradication.” The comment triggered significant criticism, especially from BJP leaders who condemned the minister for likening Sanatana Dharma to diseases such as dengue and malaria.