Supreme Court rebukes Udhayanidhi Stalin for eradicate ‘Sanatana Dharma’ remark, says abuse of free speech

Supreme Court rebukes Udhayanidhi Stalin for eradicate ‘Sanatana Dharma’ remark, says abuse of free speech

The Supreme Court on Monday slammed Tamil Nadu minister Udayanidhi Stalin over his controversial remarks that ‘Sanatana Dharma’ ought to be “eradicated” from the country, stating that he had abused his free speech rights and asked if he was even aware of the consequences of his remarks.

“You abuse your Article 19(1)(a) right. You abuse your Article 25 right. Now you are exercising your Article 32 right? Do you not know the consequences of what you said?” Justice Dipankar Datta, who was part of a two-judge bench, asked Udhayanidhi.

The bench presided by Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing Udhayanidhi’s plea to club the FIRs filed in different states over his remarks as the cause of action in all of them was the same.

Appearing for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said he was not on the merits of the matter but only seeking clubbing of FIRs filed in six states.

“I will suffer my fate. I am not saying one word on merits; I am not justifying or criticising. Nor am I accepting or denying,” said Singhvi. He added that the event where the remarks were allegedly made was a private one.

As the bench suggested that he move the respective high courts, the senior advocate said he would, in that case, “have to move six high courts” and “will constantly be tied up in this”.

Singhvi added, “This is persecution before the prosecution.”

Taking exception to Stalin’s alleged comments, Justice Datta remarked, “You are not a layman. You are a minister. You should know the consequences.”

Singhvi referred to cases like that of BJP leader Nupur Sharma, journalist Arnab Goswami and others in which the court had allowed the request to consolidate FIRs filed in different states.

Sharma’s controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed during a TV debate in 2022 sparked a controversy. Singhvi said Sharma’s comments, too, were provocative, but the Supreme Court had allowed the clubbing of FIRs.

Ultimately, the court agreed to consider his plea on March 15.

Udauanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, made the comments at an event titled ‘Sanatana Eradication Conference’ organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association in Chennai on September 2, 2023.

He had reportedly said that “a few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can’t oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. We have to eradicate this; that’s how we have to eradicate Sanatana. Rather (than) opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated.”

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