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“U-Turn Udhayanidhi?”: DMK Scion Tells Court He Made “Eradicate Sanatana Dharma” Remarks In ‘Personal Capacity’ Not As A ‘Minister’

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DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin Who Is Out On Bail In "Eradicate Sanatana Dharma" Remarks refuses to apologize.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin who is touted as the next leader of the DMK, has made a complete U-turn on his “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remarks.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is also a Minister in his father’s cabinet stoked controversy by calling for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) just like how dengu, malaria, corona and mosquitoes are to be eradicated.

Participating in a conference titled “Eradicate Sanatana Conference”, DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. Same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciations to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting.”

Ironically, the “Eradicate Sanatana Conference” was also attended by Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister PK Sekar Babu.

Udhayanidhi’s comments had triggered a national outrage putting the I.N.D.I alliance in a fix. Many members of the Opposition alliance including the TMC, AAP and other parties distanced themselves from Udhayanidhi’s remarks. However, Congress ‘President’ Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and Karnataka Congress Minister Priyank Kharge gave tacit approval to Udhayanidhi’s “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remarks.

Following the massive backlash, MK Stalin himself had asked his party leaders to refrain from making anymore statements on Sanatana Dharma. However, Udhayanidhi Stalin did not to heed his father’s advice. He had reiterated that the party (DMK) was formed with the goal of eradicating Sanathana Dharma and will continue to work towards achieving it.

Meanwhile, members of the Hindu Munnani filed a quo-warranto petition at the Madras High Court asking, on what basis were DMK Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and PK Sekar Babu and DMK MP A. Raja were continuing in their office after calling for the annihilation of Sanatana Dharma (aka Hinduism). The petition came for hearing before Justice Anita Sumanth.

In an affidavit submitted to the Madras High Court court, the DMK scion said that he made the remarks in “personal capacity” and not as a Minister.

DMK MP P. Wilson representing Udhayanidhi Stalin asked whether calling for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma was against the Constitution. He said that there is no mention of Sanatana Dharma in the Constitution or any other law and went on to argue that Udhayanidhi Stalin spoke in his personal capacity and not as a Minister.

He asserted that only those who are convicted for a jail period of 2 years and more can be disqualified and that Udhayanidhi Stalin has not been convicted of any crime. While Wilson argued that no FIR has been filed on Udhayanidhi Stalin, that is not the case.  An FIR has been registered against him at the Civil Lines Police Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur.

Wilson submitted that Article 25 guaranteed not only the right to practice and profess religion but also the freedom of conscience, including the freedom not to believe in God and profess atheism.

He also submitted that a writ of quo warranto was maintainable only when the initial appointment was contrary to the law or when a person had attracted any disqualification under the constitution or other laws, which was not the case for him.

He argued that an elected MLA did not cease to be a member based solely on the registration of an FIR. He emphasised that having a different view should not disqualify a person from holding office as a Minister, as it would infringe on the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution.

He pointed out that the petitioners were relying on a book published by the Benares Hindu College to discuss Sanatana Dharma, stating that the book had not acquired the status of custom or usage and did not have the approval of the majority of Hindu sects.

He claimed that the petitioners were trying to regress society to an era where inequality and discrimination were rampant, and that he was standing for the principles of equality, abolition of caste discrimination, upliftment of backward classes, empowerment of women, and equal treatment of women. It is noteworthy here is still no action taken against the perpetrators of the Vengaivayal incident from the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu.

Wilson also said that BJP’s role in pursuing this case is evident from the fact that there is a Central government lawyer on the plaintiff’s side.

He further argued that DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin only spoke of abolishing Sanatana which divides people on the basis of caste and religion. He said that since this matter is a conflict of political principles, the court cannot interfere and hence should dismiss the case.

After hearing the arguments, the judge adjourned the case for 31 October 2023.

Udhayanidhi Stalin’s latest position on his remarks about Sanatana Dharma has triggered the hashtag #மண்டியிட்ட_உதய் (Udhay who kneeled) with many calling out the DMK dynast for the perceived duplicity.

BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai said “The firmness of their stand defines the character of a Politician. You can’t expect this from DMK politicians, though. DMK scion Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin has proved us right yet again. Having attended the Sanatana Eradication conference as a Minister of the DMK govt, today, his affidavit submitted to the court mentions that he participated in the event in a personal capacity & not as a Minister of State government. While the elections are due, DMK buries their ideology & the Drama begins.“

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