The Supreme Court dismissed three writ petitions that sought criminal action against Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday.
The petitions were filed in response to controversial remarks he made last year about 'Sanatana Dharma'.
The bench, comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Prasanna B Varale, questioned how the writ petitions could be maintained under Article 32 of the Constitution. The court ultimately dismissed the petitions as withdrawn but allowed the petitioners the option to seek alternative remedies in the matter under the law.
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The controversy stemmed from a speech made by Udhayanidhi Stalin in Chennai in September 2023. During the speech, he stated that 'Sanatana Dharma' was against social justice and equality, and that it should be eradicated in the same way as diseases like malaria and dengue.
The legal team representing Stalin argued that his comments were made in the context of Tamil Nadu and the southern states, where 'Sanatana Dharma' is often linked to untouchability and caste-based discrimination.
They further clarified that the remarks were not intended to offend Hindu sentiments but were aimed at addressing issues of caste-based discrimination. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader's defence stressed that the remarks were in line with his party's stance against social injustice.
The dismissal of the writ petitions by the Supreme Court has brought an end to this specific legal challenge, though the controversy surrounding Udhayanidhi Stalin's comments continues to be a topic of public debate.
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