On the Sanatana Dharma row, Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin told the Madras High Court that a plea against him was due to ideological differences in the light of an alleged anti-Sanatana Dharma row with the petitioner, a Hindu right-wing outfit. Representing Udhayanidhi, senior counsel P Wilson said, Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice and propagate religion, also "gives the right to people to practice and propagate atheism."
Article 25 read with Article 19(1)(A) (freedom of expression) clearly protects the Minister's speech, Wilson submitted before Justice Anita Sumanth on Monday, reported PTI.
Right-wing organization Hindu Munnani filed a quo warranto challenging Udhayanidhi's public office holding due to alleged remarks against Sanatana Dharma at an event last month.
Wilson argued that the petitioners filed the case because they believed that DMK was opposed to their ideology. DMK stands for Dravidian ideology, which promotes self-respect, equality, rational thought and brotherhood. The opposing sect, on the other hand, advocates division based on caste. The judge has scheduled the matter for further hearing on October 31 and has asked the petitioners to provide the invitation to the event where Udhayanidhi allegedly made the remarks and the list of attendees.
Earlier, the Supreme Court issued a notice to Tamil Nadu government, Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin among others for his remarks on 'Sanatan Dharma'. The Apex Court also issued notice to MP A Raja, MP Thirumavalavan, MP Su Venkatesan, Tamil Nadu DGP, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, Union Home Ministry, Minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department PK Sekar Babu, Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Peter Alphonse and others.
The court was hearing a petition seeking an order to register an FIR against Udhayanidhi and to declare his participation in Anti-Sanatan Conference as "Unconstitutional".
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