The DMK leader appeared before the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bengaluru following a notice to him.
Published Jun 25, 2024 | 1:59 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 25, 2024 | 3:03 PM
Udhayanidhi Stalin at ABP Network's event. (Udhaystalin/ X)
Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was granted bail on Tuesday by a Bengaluru court in a case against his ‘eradicate Sanatana Dharma’ remark.
The DMK leader appeared before the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bengaluru following a notice to him based on a petition by social activist Paramesh for his remark.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, who holds the sports and youth affairs portfolio, got the bail with a surety of ₹1 lakh.
The case was posted on 8 August.
Udhayanidhi is the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and ruling DMK chief MK Stalin.
On 6 March, the Madras High Court declined to issue a writ of “quo warranto” on petitions filed by members of a Hindu nationalist outfit against Udhayanidhi Stalin and PK Sekar Babu and Member of Parliament A Raja, questioning their right to hold office after they made comments allegedly against Sanatana Dharma.
The quo warranto petitions questioned under what authority they were holding their official posts.
The Supreme Court on 4 March, rebuked Udhayanidhi Stalin over his “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remark and asked why he had moved the top court with his plea after abusing his right to freedom of speech and expression.
“You abuse your right under Article 19(1)(a) (of the Constitution). You abuse your right under Article 25. Now, you are exercising your right under Article 32 (to file a plea in the Supreme Court)? Do you not know the consequences of what you said? You are not a layman, you are a minister. You should know the consequences,” the bench said, adjourning the matter to 15 March.
On 2 September 2023, Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu participated in a conference held for the “annihilation of Sanatana Dharma” in Chennai, conducted by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers’ Association.
Addressing the meeting, the Udhayanidhi equated Sanatana Dharma to the coronavirus, malaria, dengue, and mosquitoes, calling for its eradication. This caused an uproar, with the BJP leading the way.
DMK MP A Raja weighed in on the row and called Sanatana Dharma a “social disgrace.”
Speaking at a protest meeting against Vishwakarma Yojana, organised by the Dravidar Kazhagam in Chennai on 6 September, Raja went on to compare Sanatana Dharma to HIV and leprosy.
(With PTI inputs)
