Bengaluru court grants bail to Udhayanidhi Stalin in ‘Sanatana Eradication Case’
Stalin is currently facing charges in numerous places over his statement
On Tuesday, a special court in Bengaluru granted Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin bail in the Sanatana Eradication Case against him for making contentious statements about Sanatana Dharma. Stalin was ordered by Special Magistrate KN Shivakumar to provide a monetary security of ₹5,000 and a personal bond of ₹50,000 for bail. Stalin is currently facing charges in numerous places over his statement.
“Just like dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, we have to eradicate Sanatana,” said Udhayanidhi Stalin. He made the comments in September 2023 at a symposium in Chennai hosted by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association.
On May 10, the Supreme Court gave notice to several state governments and complainants on Stalin’s appeal to consolidate the criminal charges lodged against him in various areas of the country and trial them as a single FIR.
Days after the speech, 262 people, including 14 retired High Court justices, sent a letter requesting the Supreme Court to take suo motu action against Stalin for his provocative remarks.
Weeks later, a petition was submitted with the Supreme Court, requesting that a criminal prosecution against Stalin be opened.
Meanwhile, a Bengaluru trial court issued an order to file a FIR against Stalin for his statements. A court in Jammu also ordered an investigation after a litigant filed a criminal complaint.
A petition was also brought before the Madras High Court to remove Stalin from his post as Minister. Stalin stated before the High Court that his speech was not intended to disparage Hinduism or the Hindu way of life, but rather to advocate for an end to caste-based discrimination.
The High Court finally declined to issue any orders to remove Stalin from his position, but did condemn him for his statements. It stated that the statements were “divisive” and violated constitutional standards.
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