Chennai: A special court for cases against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies sentenced senior BJP leader H Raja to six months in prison in two separate criminal defamation cases on December 2, 2024. The cases stemmed from remarks Raja made in 2018 that were deemed defamatory towards EV Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar), late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi.
Special court judge J. Jayavel, while delivering the verdict, imposed fines of ₹2,000 and ₹3,000 in the respective cases. However, the court suspended the sentences for 30 days to allow Raja to appeal the verdict in the Madras High Court.
Background of the Cases
The defamation cases were initiated after H Raja’s controversial remarks in 2018. According to the prosecution, Raja’s comments were inflammatory and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Periyar, Karunanidhi, and Kanimozhi. The FIRs were filed under sections 500, 501, 502, 153, and 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertain to criminal defamation and promoting enmity.
Raja’s attempts to quash the FIRs failed at multiple judicial levels. In 2023, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court refused to quash the FIRs, stating that Raja had a “proclivity” for making unsavory comments, leading to repeated legal trouble. Justice G. Jayachandran, in April 2024, dismissed another petition from Raja and directed the MP/MLA court to expedite the trial and conclude it within three months. The Supreme Court also declined to provide relief, with Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra remarking on the need for politicians to exercise caution in their public statements.
The Verdict
After a fast-tracked trial, the special court convicted Raja of criminal defamation and sentenced him to six months imprisonment for each case. The sentences are to run concurrently. Judge J. Jayavel emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum in public discourse while delivering the judgment.
Despite the suspension of the sentence for a month, allowing Raja to file an appeal, the verdict has drawn significant political and public attention.
H Raja’s Reaction
Reacting to the verdict, H Raja called the judgment politically motivated and claimed his innocence. “This is a political vendetta. My fight for my ideology remains steadfast,” he said, adding that he would appeal against the sentence in the Madras High Court. Raja also reiterated his controversial stance, describing Periyar as a “caste fanatic” and criticizing the DMK for supporting statues of Periyar inscribed with anti-religious statements.
BJP’s Support for Raja
The BJP has come out in full support of Raja. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai stated, “We will stand by the party’s Tamil Nadu Coordinator H Raja. The party will appeal against the sentence given to Raja. The court’s verdict was based on the charge sheet filed by the police.”
BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad described Raja as a fearless ideological warrior. “H. Raja has been in public life for over 50 years and has fearlessly expressed his views, often criticizing those in power. Despite facing threats to his life, he has remained steadfast in his convictions. He will ultimately emerge victorious,” Prasad said.
Allegations of Political Vendetta
The BJP has accused the DMK government of using legal avenues to target its leaders. Prasad criticized the DMK for filing cases against Raja for his comments on Periyar while ignoring derogatory content aimed at Hinduism and Hindu deities. “The DMK government does not act on complaints made against individuals who post defamatory content about Hinduism or BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister,” Prasad claimed.
He also questioned the permissibility of inscriptions on Periyar statues, which read, “There is no God; He who propagated God is a fool; He who spreads it is a rogue; He who worships is a barbarian.” Prasad argued, “These inscriptions are derogatory to believers and are often installed in front of Hindu temples. Would a civilized society allow such statements? Why not place Periyar’s statues in front of mosques or churches?”
Public Reaction and the Road Ahead
The court’s decision has sparked intense debate, reflecting the larger political divide in Tamil Nadu. While DMK supporters view the judgment as a victory for accountability, BJP allies see it as an attempt to suppress dissent.
Raja’s legal team has confirmed plans to challenge the verdict in the Madras High Court. Meanwhile, his supporters maintain that he will emerge victorious in his ideological battle.
