Today, On 14th August, The Supreme Court granted Udhayanidhi Stalin exemption from personally appearing in cases related to his controversial ‘Sanatana Dharma’ remark. Additionally, the court instructed the petitioners opposing Udhayanidhi to submit their arguments in writing.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin exemption from appearing in person for the court proceedings related to multiple cases filed against him following his controversial statement on ‘Sanatana Dharma.’
The court also instructed the petitioners opposing Udhayanidhi to submit their responses to his plea.
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The Supreme Court today issued a notice regarding Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin‘s request to consolidate the criminal cases filed against him in various states concerning his contentious remarks on ‘Sanatana Dharma.’
A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar issued the order, with Justice Khanna noting that the cases would need to be moved out of Tamil Nadu.
He remarked,
“You cannot stay in the State of Tamil Nadu; you’ll need to go elsewhere. Let us know which state would be the most convenient.”
The controversy began on September 2, 2023, when Udhayanidhi, while speaking at a conclave organized by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association, made a comparison between Sanatana Dharma and diseases like malaria and dengue, asserting that Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated in the same manner as these ailments, as it stands against the principles of social justice.
His remarks sparked widespread outrage, leading to the filing of multiple legal cases against him across the country. The cases, filed in various states, reflect the nationwide impact of his comments and the polarizing nature of the issue.
In the wake of the backlash, Udhayanidhi, who serves as the Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare in Tamil Nadu and is the son of the state’s Chief Minister and DMK leader M. K. Stalin, granted bail in a case registered in Bengaluru in June.
His comments and the subsequent legal challenges have kept him in the national spotlight, with the issue becoming a focal point of political and social debate.
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The Supreme Court’s recent decision to exempt Udhayanidhi from personal court appearances provides him some relief, allowing the legal process to proceed through written submissions rather than requiring his physical presence in court. As the case continues, the responses from the opposing petitioners will play a crucial role in the court’s deliberations on this highly sensitive and polarizing issue.
The Supreme Court’s decision to issue a notice and consider the clubbing of these cases underscores the importance of ensuring a fair trial, potentially in a state other than Tamil Nadu. The court’s next steps, including determining the most appropriate jurisdiction for these cases, will be crucial in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Udhayanidhi’s remarks on Sanatana Dharma.