Tamil Nadu’s Minister of Youth and Sports Welfare, Udhayanidhi Stalin is in dock for mocking and making derogatory remarks on Sanatan dharma at a conference that was organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association, an outfit linked to the Communist party.The event also witnessed the presence of the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Sekar Babu.
In response to Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks, Hindu Munnani functionaries filed quo warranto writ petitions challenging the legitimacy of both ministers, Udhayanidhi Stalin and Sekar Babu, as well as the former Union Minister A Raja, who currently serves as a DMK MP. During a recent court hearing, Udhayanidhi Stalin made a surprising reversal, asserting that his comments during the conference were made in his personal capacity and not as a minister. However, evidence suggests he attended the event as a minister. Following a nationwide controversy, Udhayanidhi reaffirmed his stance, asserting that he stands by his speech and is prepared to lose his ministerial post or even face the dismissal of the DMK government. Videos of his statements were widely shared on social media.
In his affidavit, Udhayanidhi Stalin argued that an ideology opposing the Dravidian ideology is attempting to misuse the legal process to settle political and social issues. While Dravidian ideology emphasises self-respect, equality, rational thought, and brotherhood, the opposing ideology is accused of promoting caste-based division.
The sub-applications, which were scheduled for a hearing on October 31, 2023 before Justice Anita Sumanth, include a request for a YouTube channel to produce video footage of a DMK booth agents’ conference held in Ooty on September 2, where A Raja spoke in favour of eradicating Sana Tana Dharma, likening it to diseases like Leprosy and AIDS. Additionally, two more sub-applications were filed, urging the court to replace the Special Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly with the Secretary of the Assembly as the respondent in the writ of Quo Warranto petitions.
During the court proceedings, Advocate General R. Shanmugasundram and senior counsels P. Wilson, R. Viduthalai, and N. Jothi, who represented both Ministers and the DMK MP, presented counter-affidavits to the sub-applications filed by the petitioners. Wilson argued that it is the petitioner’s responsibility to provide the necessary evidence, and failure to do so should result in the dismissal of the writ petition. He contended that the court cannot compel the respondent to act against their constitutional rights.
Senior counsel P Wilson accused the BJP of engaging in “Twitter politics” based on the case filed by the Hindu Munnani group against Udhayanidhi Stalin over his comments regarding Sanatana Dharma. He raised concerns about the misreporting of the case on social media, including by individuals like Annamalai, and suggested that a parallel trial is taking place in the realm of social media.
Following the demands made by the counsel for the respondents, the Judge has granted an extension for submissions until November 7. The legal battle surrounding Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial statements continues to unfold, with implications for both political and social discourse in Tamil Nadu.
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