Following a recent comment that has upset Sanatana Dharma believers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has found himself at the centre of a blazing controversy. His words sparked significant outrage and worry.
Notably, 262 distinguished citizens from around the country have written to Chief Justice Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud, urging him to take suo motu cognizance of Udhayanidhi Stalin's alleged hate speech, which they fear could encourage communal division and bloodshed.
Former High Court judges, officials, diplomats, defence secretaries, retired intelligence heads, foreign secretaries, and armed services officers are among the notable signatories.
The letter to the Chief Justice is about the case of 'Shaheen Abdullah vs Union of India,' and they bring up Udhayanidhi Stalin's controversial views in that context.
Udhayanidhi Stalin stated in his address that some things should be exterminated rather than simply fought, citing diseases such as dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, and COVID-19 as examples.
He controversially extended this thought to Sanatan Dharma, implying that it, too, should be abolished.
He further said that Sanatan Dharma enslaved women and forbade them from leaving their houses.
The letter refers to the 'Shaheen Abdullah vs Union of India' case, in which the Supreme Court emphasised the necessity of religious sects coexisting peacefully in order to create national brotherhood.
The Supreme Court expressed worry about the rise in hate speech occurrences and instructed governments and police personnel to take action in such circumstances without waiting for formal complaints in order to avoid delays and protect the law.
The letter criticises Udhayanidhi Stalin's reluctance to apologise and his insistence that he would stand by his remarks.
The signatories express their serious worry over these sentiments, which they categorically characterise as hate speech.
They claim that these remarks not only target a sizable portion of India's population, but also constitute an assault on the core ideals of the Indian Constitution, which envisions India as a secular society.
Udhayanidhi Stalin's outrageous statement has sparked outrage and censure.
Eminent people from all walks of life have encouraged the Chief Justice to take legal action against him for his alleged hate speech, which they see as a threat to communal unity and the nation's secular fabric.
Within India, the situation is still under intense examination and debate.