In the urban expanse of Bengaluru, a Metropolitan Magistrate Court has summoned Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalin regarding his statements about Sanatana Dharma in September of the preceding year, as per reliable sources. The Special (Magistrate) Court of the People’s Representatives of Bangalore, presiding over the criminal case involving four individuals, including Minister Udayanidhi Stalin, has issued summonses, mandating their presence in the court.
Apart from summoning Udayanidhi Stalin, the court has also extended summonses to the second accused, Tamil Nadu wordsmith S Venkatesh, the third accused, Madhukar Ramalingam, who holds the position of state president in the Tamil Nadu Writers, and the fourth accused, Adavan Dichanya, the secretary of the Artists Association, requesting their physical appearance in the court. The court has adjourned the proceedings until April 26.
Context of the Legal Matter: Addressing a gathering in September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin articulated that Sanatana Dharma stands opposed to principles of social justice and equality, advocating for its complete “eradication.”
The minister drew parallels between Sanatana Dharma and afflictions such as dengue, malaria, and Coronavirus, asserting the imperative need for its absolute elimination. According to reports, a certain Paramesh from Bengaluru filed a complaint in the court against the minister.
Remarkably, the special court had previously issued summonses to Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalin concerning his statements against Sanatana Dharma, instructing his appearance on March 4.
Nevertheless, the court reissued fresh summonses after it was brought to light that the summonses should have been served to the accused through a law enforcement officer. Consequently, the court dispatched the renewed summonses to the accused in the case through the jurisdictional police officer.
Noteworthy is the fact that the court’s summonses against Stalin coincide with the day the Supreme Court rebuked the Tamil Nadu Minister for his remarks against Sanatan Dharma.