Sanatan Dharma Remark Row: PIL in SC Against Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja for Hate Speeches

Advocate Vineet Jindal has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, seeking action against Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and DMK Deputy General Secretary Andimuthu Raja for their hate speeches against Sanatan Dharma.

Jindal’s petition sought the top court to direct the registration of FIRs against Stalin and A. Raja under Sections 153A, 153B, 295A, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Additionally, the petitioner seeks the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the Delhi and Chennai Police Commissioners for not implementing the directions contained in the apex court’s order.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the DMK youth wing secretary and Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister, who is also the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, caused significant outrage with his remarks calling for the eradication of “Sanatana Dharma.” He equated Sanatana Dharma with diseases like “mosquitoes, Dengue, Malaria, fever, and Corona,” asserting that it should be eliminated.

In response to the controversy, Udhayanidhi Stalin clarified on X (Previously Twitter) that he did not advocate for the genocide of Sanatan Dharma followers. He stated that Sanatan Dharma promotes division based on caste and religion, and uprooting it is a stance in favor of humanity and human equality.

On a related note, A. Raja made controversial comments during a protest meeting against the central government’s Vishwakarma Yojana in Chennai. He remarked that Udhayanidhi’s views on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ were relatively mild. Raja drew a comparison between Sanatana Dharma and diseases like leprosy and HIV, suggesting they all carry social stigma.