The controversy erupted on Saturday, September 2, when Udhayanidhi was speaking at ‘Sanatana Abolition Conference’.
(PTI File photo)
The court initiated the proceedings under IPC Section 298 following the testimony of the complainant and other witnesses
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Bihar’s Arrah district has summoned Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatan Dharma saying that the comments have offended religious sentiments. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son is supposed to appear before the court on April 1.
The court initiated the proceedings against Udhayanidhi under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 298 following the testimony of the complainant and other witnesses.
Speaking at ‘Sanatana Abolition Conference’ in September last year, Udhayanidhi 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 complainant in their petition alleged that Udhayanidhi’s speech not only insulted followers of Hindu Dharma but also fueled discrimination among religious groups. The petition accused him of addressing the crowd with criminal intent and using inflammatory language — like “dengue”, “malaria” — to incite hostility and sow discord among classes, thereby threatening national unity.
Advocate Dharni Dhar Pandey lodged the complaint, under IPC Sections 120(B), 153(A), 153(B), 295(A) and 298. Meanwhile, Advocate Aditya – primary witness for the complainant – pointed out that law prohibits commenting on caste and religion in India.
Chaired by civil Judge Manoranjan Jha, the CJM court took cognizance of the matter and noted that Udhayanidhi is required to appear before it, either in person or through his advocate, to seek bail. The judge scheduled the next hearing for April 1, 2024.