'You're A Minister, Not A Layman': SC Rebukes Udhayanidhi Stalin Over Sanatan Remark

The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over his controversial statement against the ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and said as a minister, it was his responsibility to choose his words on such sensitive issues wisely.

The matter was being heard by a bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told Stalin that he was a minister and should know the consequences of his remark. The apex court has adjourned the matter till March 15.

“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 a 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.

The bench also asked the DMK minister to approach the high courts concerned.

“I’m not saying one word on merits (of the case), I’m not justifying or criticising. Let the merits of the case not affect the plea for clubbing of the FIRs,” Singhvi said. The apex court said it will take it up on March 15 after going through the judgments and progress of trial in some of the FIRs.

Comparing “Sanatana Dharma with coronavirus, malaria, fever caused by the dengue virus and mosquitoes”, Udhayanidhi, who is the son of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, said the religion is against equality and social justice and it should be eradicated. “Such things should not be opposed, but destroyed”.

“What is Sanatanam? The very name is only from Sanskrit. Sanatan is against equality and social justice and nothing else. It is eternal, that is, it cannot be changed; no one could pose any question and that is the meaning. Sanatan divided people based on caste,” he said.

He was speaking at a conference in September 2023 and sparked a massive political controversy with his remarks.