The Madras HC rejected ‘quo warranto’ petitions filed by members of a Hindu nationalist group against DMK Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and P K Sekar Babu, as well as Member of Parliament A Raja. The petitions questioned their eligibility to hold office following comments allegedly disparaging Sanatana Dharma.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has declined to issue a writ of ‘quo warranto’ against three prominent DMK figures: Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and P K Sekar Babu, along with Member of Parliament A Raja. The petitions, initiated by members of a Hindu nationalist group, challenged the trio’s eligibility to hold their respective offices following their alleged critical remarks about Sanatana Dharma.
The concept of ‘quo warranto’ involves a legal proceeding that questions an individual’s right to hold a public office. In this case, the petitions sought to challenge the authority under which these DMK leaders were maintaining their positions, especially after their participation in what was described as an “anti-Sanatana Dharma meeting” and their purported speeches against the traditional system of religious practices.
The petitions were filed by T Manohar, identified as an office-bearer of the Hindu Munnani, along with two other individuals. They aimed to question the legitimacy of the three DMK leaders’ roles based on their alleged public statements.
However, Justice Anita Sumanth, overseeing the case, decided to dispose of the petitions. While dismissing the legal challenges, she made a notable observation, emphasizing that individuals in high-ranking positions should exercise greater responsibility. She highlighted the importance of verifying historical facts before making public statements, suggesting that those in power should maintain a level of decorum and accuracy when discussing sensitive topics.
This ruling signifies a pivotal moment, underscoring the judiciary’s stance on the balance between free speech and the responsibilities that come with holding public office. The decision also reflects the ongoing tensions between different political and religious groups in the region, showcasing the complex interplay between politics, religion, and law.
The dismissal of the quo warranto petitions by the Madras High Court sends a clear message about the expectations placed on public officials regarding their conduct and the evidence required to challenge their authority to serve. This case may set a precedent for future legal challenges and debates surrounding the conduct of elected officials and their public statements in India.
Speaking at a ‘Sanatana Abolition Conference’ in September last year, Udhayanidhi Stalin said that ‘Sanatana dharma’ is against social justice and equality.
“Few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can’t oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria or corona. We have to eradicate this. That’s how we have to eradicate Sanatana,”
-Udhayanidhi Stalin had said.
Soon after making the remark, BJP leaders criticised the DMK leader and accused him giving a call for “genocide of Hindus”. K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief, accused Udhayanidhi of advocating for the elimination of the majority population of Bharat, who adhere to the Sanatan Dharma, by using the term “genocide.”
Subsequently, Home Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition bloc ‘INDIA’, which includes the DMK, of engaging in divisive politics by “insulting Sanatana Dharma“ for the sake of securing votes and appeasement.
On September 5, 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin also received a death threat after Ayodhya seer Paramhans Acharya announced a reward of Rs 10 crore for beheading Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged remarks.
“Sanatan Dharma neither has a beginning nor an end. It has never been destroyed and can never be destroyed,”
-he said, warning that anyone trying to destroy Sanatan Dharma will be destroyed.
Udhayanidhi Stalin then issued a clarification that his speech was not a call for genocide but
“what the BJP is doing in Manipur is genocide.”
“Manipur remained in a state of unrest for over five months. Over 250 people have been killed and churches have been demolished. Media, communication facilities and the Internet were all cut off for months,”
-Udhayanidhi said.
He refused to apologise for his remarks, as was demanded by several BJP leaders, and said that he would make them again.
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