'Sanatan Dharma' Row: SC Puts Brake On New Cases Against Udhayanidhi Stalin

In a relief to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Supreme Court on Thursday put a break from filing fresh cases against him in connection with the controversial remarks on Sanatan Dharma.

What The Apex Court Said?

The Supreme Court ordered no further cases to be registered against him without its permission. In the interim order interim order on a plea filed by Stalin to club all such criminal cases filed against him across the country, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan said, "List in April. Interim order to continue and shall apply to the new cases added as well. We direct no further FIR to be registered on the same cause,"

The development comes after a fresh case was filed against him in Bihar, according to a report in Bar and Bench website.

Earlier, the apex court had extended its interim relief for Udhayanidhi Stalin, ensuring he is exempt from appearing in lower courts handling cases against him over his 'Sanatan Dharma' remarks.

In its latest order, the Court pointed out that this protection will continue and also apply to any new cases filed against him.

All About The Controversy

The controversy dates back to September 2023, when Udhayanidhi Stalin, speaking at a conference, equated Sanatan Dharma to diseases like coronavirus, malaria, and dengue, arguing that it was against social justice and equality and should be eradicated. His remarks sparked widespread outrage and led to multiple legal complaints across the country.

Addressing a gathering on Saturday, the Junior Stalin had said, "There are some things which we have to eradicate and we can't merely oppose. Mosquitoes, dengue fever, malaria, corona, all these are things which we cannot oppose, we have to eradicate them. Sanatanam is also like this."

The minister was speaking at an event organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association on the theme of 'eradication of Sanatana'. "I thank the organisers of this conference for giving me the opportunity to deliver a special address. You have kept the name of the conference as 'Sanatana Abolition Conference' rather than 'Anti-Sanatana Conference', I appreciate that," news agency ANI quoted Udhayanidhi as saying.

"A few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can't oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. We have to eradicate this, that's how we have to eradicate Sanatana. Rather opposing Sanatana it should be eradicated," Udhayanidhi was quoted as saying.