• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed displeasure at Tamil Nadu Minister and Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and said, “You aren't a layman, you are a minister and should know the consequences.”

The Supreme Court also asked why Stalin had moved to the apex court after abusing his right to freedom of speech and expression. A bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told Stalin that as a minister, he should know the consequences of his remark.

"You abuse your right under Article 19(1)(a) (of the Constitution). You abuse your right under Article 25. Now you are exercising your right under Article 32 (to file plea in the Supreme Court)? Do you not know the consequences of what you said? You are not a layman. You are a minister. You should know the consequences," the bench said. 

This comes after Stalin's lawyer moved the top court seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against him in several states over his remarks. However, the apex court adjourned his plea for a hearing on March 15.

Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark that ‘Sanatana Dharma’ "is like malaria and dengue and must be eradicated" sparked massive controversy across the country last year following which he asserted that he would fight all the legal cases against him with the guidance of the party’s leadership. He also stated that ‘Sanatana Dharma’ is against social justice and equality. 

“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 Stalin said, which sparked massive outrage across the country.