The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing on Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s plea to club several FIRs filed against him over his controversial remark about “eradicating Sanatan Dharma.”
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, rescheduled the matter for February 2025.
Additionally, the Court extended the interim order granting Stalin exemption from appearing physically before trial courts until further notice.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Stalin, argued that several complainants had not yet filed their replies to the plea, which contributed to the delay.
In March 2024, the Supreme Court had sharply reprimanded Stalin, questioning why he sought the clubbing of FIRs after making such provocative remarks.
The Court had highlighted that Stalin’s comments might have crossed the line of free speech.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports, is a prominent film actor and the son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, leader of the ruling DMK party.
In September 2023, Stalin allegedly made a controversial statement during a conference, calling Sanatan Dharma “against social justice and equality” and likening it to “coronavirus, malaria, and dengue,” suggesting it should be “eradicated.”
The remarks triggered multiple FIRs against him in several states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Karnataka. These FIRs accuse him of promoting enmity and hatred based on religion.
The matter is expected to be heard in February 2025, with the Supreme Court set to decide whether the FIRs should be consolidated and whether Stalin should face trial on a single charge.
