Sanatana Dharma row: Madras HC calls Stalin Jr’s comments ‘divisive’

The Madras High Court on Wednesday held Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare & Sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comments on Sanatana Dharma as “divisive” and against the “Constitutional principles” while refusing to issue writ of quo warranto to remove him, his ministerial colleague Sekar Babu and DMK MP A Raja (Nilgiris) from their ministerial positions.Justice Anita Sumanth said persons holding Constitutional positions must not make divisive comments, and Stalin Jr’s remarks equating Sanatana Dharma to HIV, AIDS, Malaria etc., were `perverse.’

Such claims about Sanatana Dharma which were unverified in nature amounted to spreading misinformation, the Judge said, disposing of a petition from the Hindu Munnani, which took serious objection to Stalin Jr’s comments, and questioned their continuation in office after making such remarks in public, while praying for a writ of quo warranto.

The 46-year-old minister made national headlines comparing the Sanatana Dharma to HIV, AIDS, Malaria etc., while calling for its eradication at a conference organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association in Chennai in September.Such conduct makes a politician liable to disqualification, the Judge said, while adding that the court was not issuing a writ of quo warranto in the absence of any action taken against Stalin and the others that can cause them to be disqualified. A quo warranto was possible only if the person was disqualified under the law from holding the ministerial position.

A writ of quo warranto is issued to restrain a person from acting in a public office to which he or she is not entitled.

The Supreme Court too had, on Monday, reprimanded Stalin Jr for his comments against Sanatana Dharma.

DMK’s Spokesperson TKS Elangovan said that the BJP should explain as to what Sanatana Dharma is. Nobody has come forward to explain what Sanatana Dharma is.