‘Sanatan Dharma’ remark row: Top Court issues notice to Udhayanidhi Stalin, TN govt, police, organizers
On Friday, The Supreme Court has taken action against Tamil Nadu DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin regarding his remarks on ‘Sanatan Dharma’. The Court has issued notices to him and the state government.
A bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi sought a response from Stalin Jr., Tamil Nadu Police, and others on the plea while declining to tag it with other hate speech matters pending before the top court.
At the outset of the hearing, the bench expressed its disinclination to entertain the writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution and asked why the petitioner should not approach the jurisdictional high court.
Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the constitutional functionaries were speaking against an entire faith, adding that “children are asked and forced to speak against a particular faith.”
He claimed that in the present case, the state is spreading “hate speech” and there are circulars issued by the state government asking students to speak against a particular faith.
After hearing the submissions, the top court decided to examine the matter and issued a notice. It orally remarked that the court is being converted into a police station and such cases should be dealt with by the high court.
Last week, the Supreme Court declined to pass any orders directing an urgent hearing of the plea and asked senior advocate Naidu to follow the procedure enumerated under the SoP providing for an urgent listing of the matters.
The plea, filed through advocate G Balaji, sought a declaration that the participation of state ministers in the Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference held on September 2, was unconstitutional, being violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
Further, it sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to inquire if there is any element of terror funding involved from across the border & outside India, especially Sri Lanka Tamil LTTE funds.
The petition also demanded that these conferences against any Hindu Dharma should not take place in secondary schools of the state as per the judgment of the Supreme Court judgment in the hijab case.
Earlier, a similar application seeking initiation of legal action against Stalin Jr., who is the son of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, over his controversial statements was filed by a Delhi-based advocate.
The DMK leader’s remarks triggered outrage across the country with the BJP and Hindu right-wing groups slamming Stalin for his views.
Several FIRs were filed in different states against Stalins’ anti-Sanatan remarks. However, the leader refused to take back his words and remained defiant in the face of furore against his anti-Sanatan Dharma stand. He also said that he was ready to face legal action for the comments and that he would fight it out in court.
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A brave man standing up to his remarks. If he wins in the courts, it will be free for all to speak whatever they like against any faith. If and when such remarks lead to violence, WHO WILL BE RESPOSCIBLE?