Meanwhile, TN BJP secretary A Ashvathaman wrote to Governor RN Ravi seeking permission to initiate criminal proceedings against Udhayanidhi.
Published Sep 04, 2023 | 6:08 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 04, 2023 | 6:09 PM
Sources from the Madurai City police said that the complaint was sent for legal opinion and necessary action will be taken. (X)
Even as Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statement over “Sanatana Dharma” continued to draw flak, members of DMK’s Madurai district wing filed a complaint against BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya.
On Monday, 4 September, the DMK’s Madurai district legal wing filed a complaint against Malviya with the Madurai City police for his tweet mentioning “genocide”.
J Devasenan, the Madurai district organiser of the DMK legal wing filed the complaint with the Madurai City Commissioner of Police KS Narenthiran Nayar seeking action against Malviya for allegedly inciting violence and disturbing communal harmony.
In his complaint, Devasenan pointed to Malviya’s tweet, which was in response to remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin against Sanatana Dharma, where he appeared to compare it to diseases.
Devasenan stated that Malviya, while claiming that Udhayanidhi meant this as a genocide call, was trying to provoke the people with communal hatred statements with the intention of causing disharmony in society.
The complaint also mentioned, “Even after clarification by the Hon’ble Sports Minister Udhayanidhi, Amit Malviya had neither apologised nor withdrawn the statement made by him. Amit Malviya is solely intending to incite hatred and communal harmony in society.”
I never called for the genocide of people who are following Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion. Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality.
I stand firmly by every word I have spoken. I spoke… https://t.co/Q31uVNdZVb
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) September 2, 2023
Speaking to South First, Devasenan said that the BJP IT wing chief was misrepresenting Udhayanidhi’s remarks and was trying to create the impression that the DMK leader had called for genocide.
“The very intention of the BJP is to politicise an issue and try to disturb the communal peace of the country, and spread fear among the people. Hence, I filed a complaint,” he added.
Sources from the Madurai City police said that the complaint was sent for legal opinion and necessary action will be taken if necessary.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP secretary A Ashvathaman wrote a letter to Governor RN Ravi seeking permission to initiate criminal proceedings against Udhayanidhi Stalin.
இந்து தர்மத்தை பற்றிய வெறுப்பு பேச்சிற்காக அமைச்சர் @Udhaystalin
மீது குற்றவியல் நடைமுறையை தொடர்வதற்காக அனுமதி கோரி தமிழக கவர்னர் @rajbhavan_tn
அவர்களிடம் ஆன்லைன் மூலமாக மனு அளித்துள்ளேன்.@narendramodi @AmitShah @JPNadda @blsanthosh @myogiadityanath @ReddySudhakar21… pic.twitter.com/AV8WJMaJ7E— A.Ashvathaman மோடியின் குடும்பம் (@asuvathaman) September 3, 2023
In his complaint, Ashvathaman pointed to Udhayanidhi’s comparison of Sanatana Dharma to mosquitoes, dengue, and malaria, and stated that the minister made this “hate speech” on purpose with the intention of hurting the feelings of Hindus.
“He’s wantonly giving provocation with the intent to cause riot. His speech promotes enmity between groups on grounds of religion and he’s committing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. He has committed a criminal offence under Sections 153, 153 A, 295, 295 (a), 296, 298, 499, 504, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code. Hence, it is necessary to provide the permission/sanction under Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 to initiate criminal proceedings against him,” Ashvathaman said in his complaint.
Speaking at a conference on “Abolition of Sanatana” in Chennai on Saturday, 2 September, organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers, Artists Association, Udhayanidhi said: “Few things cannot be opposed, they should be abolished.”
He added: “We can’t oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria or corona. We have to eradicate them. In the same way, we have to eradicate Sanatana, rather than opposing it.”
Responding to the remarks of the DMK youth wing secretary, the BJP IT wing chief took on Udhayanidhi on X.
He stated that Udhayanidhi was calling for “the genocide of 80 percent population of Bharat, who follow Sanatan Dharma”.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamilnadu CM MK Stalin, and a minister in the DMK Govt, has linked Sanatana Dharma to malaria and dengue… He is of the opinion that it must be eradicated and not merely opposed. In short, he is calling for genocide of 80% population of Bharat, who… pic.twitter.com/4G8TmdheFo
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) September 2, 2023
Responding to the accusation, while interacting with the media in Chennai, Udhayanidhi clarified that he never called for any genocide and never used those words.
“Even Prime Minister Modi says ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’. Does it mean that all the Congressmen should be killed? The BJP leaders are twisting my words and I stand by what I said. Sanatana Dharma should be abolished as it doesn’t treat all humans equally,” said the DMK leader.
