Supreme Court issues notice for Sanatana Dharma remarks against Udhayanidhi Stalin, others

The Bench was initially disinclined to entertain the petition and advised senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for the petitioner, to approach the high court with this prayer. The Bench even observed that such petitions were converting the court into a police station.

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ON Friday, the Supreme Court called for a response from Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and the state government over his remark against Sanatana Dharma.

A Bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M. Trivedi issued notice to this effect.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate B. Jagannath seeking registration of a first information report against Stalin.

The Bench was initially disinclined to entertain the petition and advised senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for the petitioner, to approach the high court with this prayer.

The Bench even observed that such petitions were converting the court into a police station.

Naidu drew the attention of the Bench to the batch of hate speech matter which is being heard by the Supreme Court. He added that it was concerning when a state unleashed its machinery against an entire faith.

In his petition, Jagannath has also sought a declaration that the participation of the state ministers in the meeting titled Sanatana Dharma Eradication conference held on September 2, 2023 is unconstitutional and violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.

The plea also seeks direction to the home secretary and the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation to immediately direct an investigation and enquiry into the said events and the background of the incidents.

The investigation must also look into the sources of the finances of the organisation and the event whether there is an element of terror funding in them, especially with regard to Sri Lankan Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the plea contends.

The plea also seeks a direction against the Tamil Nadu State Government Higher Education Department to ensure that no such conference against the Hindu dharma takes place in any secondary school of the state.

The plea also seeks an Order of injunction against Stalin, Peter Alphonse, A. Raja and Thol Thirumavalavan (the latter two attended the meeting against Sanatana Dharma) and their followers from making any further hate speech against the Sanatana Dharma.