Tamil Nadu BJP state secretary Asuvathaman has appealed to TN Governor RN Ravi to grant permission under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 218 (Prosecution of Judges and Public Servants) to initiate criminal proceedings against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for their derogatory and racist comments against your Highness, which reproach the constitutional post honoured by the Constitution of India.
In a two-page representation, Advocate Asuvathaman recalled the recent statements made by CM Stalin in a tweet where he said, “Is he a Governor or an Aryan? Removing the word ‘Dravidian’ and chanting the Tamil Thai anthem is against the law of Tamil Nadu! A person who does not act according to the law and instead acts according to his own will is not fit to hold that office. In the guise of celebrating Hindi, the Governor is insulting the unity of the country and the people of different races living in this land! Will the Governor, who suffers from Dravidian allergy, ask to sing the National Anthem without the word ‘Dravidian’? The Central Government should immediately recall the Governor who is deliberately insulting Tamil Nadu and the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu!”
The petitioner also stated, “A year ago, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin made a derogatory speech reproaching your Highness, and the video is now being widely shared on social media by proponents of Dravidian ideology. In that video, Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statements are as follows: ‘Governor Mr. RN Ravi, how arrogant (temerity) are you? How much cholesterol do you have? I am asking you, Mr. Governor, “Who are you?” What authority do you have? I am asking you, Governor, “Who are you?” Are you a people’s representative? You are just a postman, delivering messages from our Chief Minister to the Union Government. That is your only job. If we show you respect, you take too much advantage of it. I challenge you: He is no longer RN Ravi; from now on, he is RSS Ravi. Go and tell your ideology to our Tamil people. They will give you slipper shots.’”
Aswathaman stated, “The above statements warrant cognizance under offences that necessitate the initiation of criminal proceedings, particularly under Section 151 (Assaulting the President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with other sections: 192 (Giving provocation with intent to cause riot—if rioting is committed; if not committed), 196 (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony), 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), 353(2) (Statements leading to public mischief), and 356 (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). There is a prerequisite condition under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 218 to obtain sanction from your office for the initiation of criminal proceedings since they hold public posts, namely CM and Deputy CM.”
In his concluding paragraph, he requested the Governor to grant permission under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Section 218 (Prosecution of Judges and Public Servants) to initiate criminal proceedings against the individuals mentioned above.
