NEW DELHI
An FIR has been filed against Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur for their comments on ‘Sanatan Dharma,’ accusing them of offending religious sentiments.
The FIR has been filed under Section 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the two leaders in response to a complaint from advocates.
Udhayanidhi’s remarks regarding Sanatana Dharma had triggered a major controversy nationwide, with numerous BJP leaders and Hindu priests strongly condemning his statement.
In an interview with the media, the DMK leader clarified that he was not against the Hindu religion but rather against Sanatan practices like caste discrimination.
When asked for an example of such a Sanatan practice, Udhayanidhi Stalin cited the incident involving President Draupadi Murmu not being invited to the opening of Parliament. He stated, “Honourable President Draupadi Murmu was not invited for the opening of the Parliament and it is the best current example.”
Regarding demands for an apology, Udhayanidhi declined to respond to the request.
The DMK leader and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin’s son has faced severe criticism since he mentioned on Saturday that Sanatana Dharma should not only be opposed but also “eradicated.”
Karnataka Cabinet Minister Priyank Kharge, on the other hand, commented on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statement, stating that any religion that does not promote equality or treat individuals as humans is akin to a disease. He said, “Any religion that does not promote equality or does not ensure you have the dignity of being human is not religion, according to me… Any religion that does not give equal rights or does not treat you like humans is as good as a disease…”
In response, BJP National Secretary B. L. Santhosh posted on ‘X’, “So if there is an infection in somebody’s stomach, you chop off the head…??”
Notably, the BJP has demanded an apology from MK Stalin’s son, and BJP leaders have also alleged that the I.N.D.I.A bloc discussed such an agenda during a recent meeting in Mumbai.