Supreme Court grants relief to Udhayanidhi Stalin

The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin received relief from the Supreme Court. His comments on Sanatan Dharma sparked nationwide controversy. Following strong objections from Hindu organizations, three criminal petitions were filed seeking legal action against him. However, the Supreme Court rejected these petitions.

The bench, consisting of Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Prasanna, questioned how these petitions could be considered under Article 32 of the Constitution. The court dismissed the petitions, stating that the fundamental issues raised in the petitions were insufficient. As a result, Udhayanidhi received legal relief. In September 2023, Udhayanidhi made remarks in Tamil Nadu during an event calling for the abolition of Sanatan Dharma. His comments triggered widespread opposition across the country, with Hindu organizations and certain sections of society strongly condemning them.

Amidst the growing controversy, Udhayanidhi clarified that he never intended to hurt anyone's feelings. However, Hindu organizations and spiritual leaders reacted strongly to his statements. Subsequently, petitions were filed requesting legal action.

While the Supreme Court's ruling temporarily granted Udhayanidhi legal relief, it highlighted the need for careful consideration to maintain religious harmony in a democracy. Analysts argue that political leaders' statements can have far-reaching societal responses, and thus, they should speak responsibly. For more details, visit Vaartha.