Udhay’s Sanatana remarks voluntary; can’t club FIRs: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday told Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin that he cannot compare himself to media personnel to seek the relief of clubbing of multiple FIRs lodged against him for his “eradicate Sanatana dharma” remarks.

During the hearing, Udhayanidhi’s counsel submitted his intention was not to make a “political warcry” as he was only addressing a gathering of 30 to 40 people.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta allowed Udhayanidhi to amend his plea given “legal issues” and listed the matter in the week commencing on May 6.

The bench said, “You made the statements voluntarily. You cannot equate the media people with the minister. You have cited cases of media people, who have to follow the directions of their bosses and look after the TRP and other things.”

The bench made the remarks on perusing the writ petition of Udhayanidhi in which he has cited the cases of Arnab Goswami, Mohd Zubair and others, who were earlier granted relief by the top court by clubbing of the FIRs lodged against them and transferring it to one police station.

Speaking at a conference in September 2023, Udhayanidhi likened Sanatana dharma to coronavirus, malaria and dengue, and said it should be eradicated.

Can’t equate a minister with media people who have to follow the directions of their bosses & look after TRP & other things — SC Bench

While hearing the plea on March 4, the apex court rebuked Udhayanidhi over his reported remarks and asked why he had moved the court for clubbing together the FIRs filed against him after abusing his right to freedom of speech and expression.