New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (November 22) deferred the hearing on a plea filed by Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin seeking clubbing of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against him in various parts of country over his purported “eradicate Sanatan Dharma” remark.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, while posting the hearing in February next year, said that the interim order granting Udhayanidhi exemption from appearing physically before the trial courts would continue till further orders.
Udhayanidhi’s ‘eradicate Sanatana Dharma’ remarks led to registration of several FIRs against him
Udhayanidhi, who is the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and ruling DMK chief M K Stalin, allegedly made the controversial remarks on Sanatana Dharma at a conference, which led to widespread outrage and multiple FIRs were registered against him in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka. Several petitions were also filed before various courts, including several high courts and the Supreme Court, for registration of criminal case against him for his controversial remarks.
What did Udhayanidhi say?
The Tamil Nadu minister allegedly said in the conference that a few things must not merely be opposed but should be eradicated. “Just like dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, we have to eradicate Sanatana,” he had allegedly said at the conference.
Apex Court earlier rebuked Udhayanidhi for his remarks
The apex court, while hearing Udhayanidhi’s plea seeking clubbing of FIRs, had rebuked Udhayanidhi over his “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remarks, asking him why he had moved the court seeking clubbing of the FIRs against him 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 apex court bench had said.
