Supreme Court defers hearing Udhayanidhi’s plea on ‘eradicate Sanatan’ cases

The Supreme Court deferred the hearing on Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s plea seeking to club multiple FIRs lodged against him over his controversial remarks on Sanatan Dharma. The case would now be heard only in February 2025.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, however, stated that the interim order, which exempted Stalin from appearing physically in trial courts, would remain in effect until further notice.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Stalin, highlighted that several respondents in the case were yet to file their replies.
The controversy began in September 2023 when Udhayanidhi Stalin, speaking at a conference, allegedly compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like coronavirus, malaria, and dengue, stating it should be “eradicated” as it opposes social justice and equality. The remarks triggered widespread backlash and led to multiple FIRs being registered against him in states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
On March 4, the Supreme Court criticised the DMK leader, questioning his plea for FIR consolidation, suggesting he misused his freedom of speech. Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s minister for youth welfare and sports, is also the son of Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin.
This came weeks after Stalin refused to apologise for his remarks while addressing a gathering in Dindigul district. Referring to his comments as part of a legacy carried forward by Dravidian stalwarts like Periyar, Annadurai, and M Karunanidhi, Udhayanidhi Stalin said: “I said what I said. I am Karunanidhi’s grandson and will not apologise for anything.”