A Bihar-based court in Ara has taken cognizance of a complaint filed against DMK Youth and Sports Development Minister Udhaya Nidhi Stalin for his controversial remarks on Sanatana Dharma. The court issued summons against Stalin after an advocate, Dharnidhar Pandey, accused him of hurting the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus and threatening national unity with his statements.
Advocate Dharnidhar Pandey lodged the complaint, alleging that Udhaya Nidhi Stalin’s remarks, made during an address to the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association in Chennai on September 2 last year, were derogatory and offensive to believers of Sanatana Dharma. The complaint cited Stalin’s comparison of Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue, malaria, and coronavirus, stating that such remarks were made with criminal intent.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Manoranjan Kumar Jha of Ara ordered the issuance of summons against Udhaya Nidhi Stalin and initiated legal proceedings under Section 298 of the Indian Penal Code, considering the testimony of the complainant and three witnesses. The court scheduled the next hearing of the case for April 1, acknowledging the sentiments of those who follow Sanatana Dharma.
Petitioner Dharnidhar Pandey expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “After hearing our argument, the court has issued a summons to Udhayanidhi Stalin in this case. The next hearing of this case is scheduled on April 1.”
Stalin’s remarks had sparked widespread controversy and outrage at the national level, leading to petitions being filed in various police stations across the country. Chennai-based lawyer B. Jagganath and others moved the Supreme Court seeking action against Udhaya Nidhi Stalin for his inflammatory comments. Additionally, petitions were filed in the Madras High Court by Hindu Munnani functionaries seeking the removal of Stalin and other Tamil Nadu ministers from their posts due to their remarks against Sanatana Dharma.
Notably, the Madras High Court recently declined to issue a writ of quo warranto against Tamil Nadu Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin, Sekar Babu, and DMK MP A. Raja, rejecting the petitions filed by Hindu Munnani functionaries. Despite these legal challenges, the controversy surrounding Stalin’s remarks continues to resonate, prompting further scrutiny of his statements and their potential impact on communal harmony.
Special Judge Sarika Wahaliya of Muzzaffarpur gave him the option of being represented by a lawyer during the hearing. The case stemmed from a criminal complaint filed by Kaushalendra Narayan, a lawyer at the Patna High Court, on September 4. The case was transferred to Special Judge Wahaliya on January 6.
Simultaneously, a Karnataka court also sent summons to Udhayanidhi Stalin, asking him to appear before the 42nd ACM Court in Bengaluru on March 4. This summons pertains to his controversial comments linking Sanatana Dharma with diseases like dengue and malaria, which sparked public outrage. The summons was issued following a private complaint filed by an individual named Paramesh.
Patna MP/MLA Court summons Udhayanidhi Stalin on 13th February for abusing Sanatan religion. pic.twitter.com/0lAgCBezfB
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) January 16, 2024
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, has been embroiled in controversy due to his remarks, which have led to legal action and public outcry in multiple states. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders await the outcome of these cases, which hold implications for freedom of speech and the boundaries of political discourse.
The summonses from both Bihar and Karnataka courts add to the mounting legal challenges faced by Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatana Dharma, highlighting the contentious nature of his statements and their repercussions.
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