SC issues notice to DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, others in Sanatan Dharma ‘hate speech’ row

The bench was initially inclined to ask the petitioner to approach the Madras HC.

Advocate R Balaji appearing for the petitioner, however, said there are already matters pending before the Supreme Court and that interim directions had been issued regarding the same.

He drew the attention of the Court to the Supreme Court order of April 28, 2023, which asked DGPs of all states to take suo motu action in cases of hate speech.

The counsel pointed out that his petition was also on the “same subject of hate speech”.

“When I go and complain, the state does not take action and on the other hand, arrests everybody who says it is wrong… Such rabble-rousing speeches by constitutional authorities are impermissible,” the counsel said.

Justice Bose sought to know about the speech that led to the April 28 order. The counsel explained that the order was given in the context of people practicing one religion speaking ill against another religion.

The plea said that on September 2, 2023, “a conference was held at Kamarajar Arangam at Teynampet, Chennai with heading ‘Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference’ by one organisation called Tamil Nadu Murpokku Ezhuthalar Sangam” and that “it is not known whether any permission was granted by the Tamil Nadu Police Department for conducting such conferences as the heading and title suggests the same is being done for eradication of a particular religion and if the police had indeed granted permission they have the responsibility and duty to inform… whether there was political interference to the police department in granting such permission…”

It pointed out that the conference was attended by Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Minister Sekar Babu, Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Chairman Peter Alphonse, VCK MP Thol Thirumavalavan and DMK MP A Raja, among others.

The petitioner claimed that “the Conference was held specifically to target Hinduism (also referred as ‘Sanatanam Dharma’) and to abuse, humiliate, speak in derogatory language and spread hatred towards Sanatanam Dharma…”

The plea urged the Court to direct the Tamil Nadu DGP to explain how the event was given police permission and to register an FIR against the organisers and those who made alleged hate speeches.

It also sought an “order of Injunction… restraining and forbearing Uhdayanidhi Stalin, Peter Alphonse, A Raja and Thol Thirumavalavan and their followers from making any further hate speech against Sanatana Dharma/Hinduism…”