Sanatan Dharma row: In TN, Amit Malviya, Ayodhya seer booked for ‘death threats’ to Stalin’s son
Acharya has been booked for allegedly issuing death threats to Udhayanidhi, while Malviya has been booked for allegedly triggering tension and inciting violence against the state minister, a police statement said.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya (Twitter/@amitmalaviya)
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In what appears to be a counter-FIR to Uttar Pradesh police booking Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge for allegedly promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments, Tamil Nadu police on Wednesday registered separate FIRs against BJP IT wing leader Amit Malviya and religious leader Ramachandra Das Paramhans Acharya.
While Acharya was booked for issuing allegedly death threats to Udhayanidhi, the case was lodged against Malviya for allegedly triggering tension and inciting violence against the minister.
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The two face charges under multiple sections of IPC, including provocation to cause a riot, promoting enmity, and criminal intimidation.
The development comes a day after Rampur police in UP registered an FIR against Udayanidhi and Kharge — sons of Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, respectively. Tuesday’s FIR was registered on a complainant by Ram Singh Lodhi, a lawyer who alleged that Udhayanidhi and Priyank have hurt his religious sentiments by making “statements against Sanatan Dharma”.
Commenting on Udhayanidhi’s remarks, Priyank had said, “…Any religion that does not have equal rights and does not treat you as a human being is as good as a disease.”
Civil Lines police station SHO Pankaj Pant said the FIR has been lodged under IPC sections dealing with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and promote enmity.
In a statement on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu police said Acharya had announced a reward of Rs 10 crore for anyone who could decapitate Udhayanidhi with a sword. According to the complainant, DMK’s Madurai city unit legal adviser J Devasenan, the Ayodhya religious leader purportedly stated that if no one came forward, he would take on the task himself.
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“This brazen threat was followed by the release of a video where a photo of the minister was symbolically pierced with a sword,” the statement said. It said the video led to “widespread fear and religious tension” among people in Tamil Nadu.
The case against Malviya relates to his social media reaction to Udhayanidhi’s recent speech on Sanatan Dharma at a recent event.
“Malviya is said to have distorted the essence of (Udayanidhi’s) speech. Malviya purportedly suggested that the minister incited violence against those practising Sanatan Dharma…. Udhayanidhi clarified his stand, stating he had never incited any form of violence…that he had always stood up against social injustices perpetuated by certain elements within religious frameworks, drawing parallels with societal harm caused by diseases,” police stated.
The FIR was registered on a complaint by DMK’s Trichy southern district legal team head K A V Dinakaran on Wednesday.
Arun Janardhanan Tamil Nadu Correspondent for The Indian Express, a leading national daily newspaper. Based in the state, his work focuses on providing deep, ground-level coverage of Tamil Nadu’s complex political, judicial, and cultural landscape, establishing his high degree of Expertise and Authority in this critical region.
Expertise
Geographic Focus: As the Tamil Nadu Correspondent, Arun covers the state comprehensively, offering readers localized insights into major political shifts and social issues.
Key Coverage Areas: His recent reporting demonstrates in-depth knowledge across several vital beats:
State Politics and Governance: Detailed coverage of the DMK and AIADMK, the rise of new political entrants like actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party dynamics, and federal issues involving the Governor and the Centre.
Legal and Judicial Matters: In-depth reporting on high-profile Madras High Court cases, particularly those involving religious and cultural disputes (e.g., the Madurai temple-dargah row) and legal actions against officials.
Culture and Social Issues: Reporting on the activities of cultural outfits (e.g., Hindu Munnani) and debates surrounding language and cultural priorities.
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