The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing on
a plea of Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin seeking clubbing of multiple
FIRs lodged against him over his purported "eradicate Sanatan Dharma"
remark.
A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice
Sanjay Kumar posted the hearing in February, 2025.
It further said the interim order granting the
politician exemption from appearing physically before trial courts would
continue till further orders.
Arguing for Stalin, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi
and other counsel pointed out that several respondents (complainants) had not
filed their replies on the plea.
On March 4, the top court rebuked Satlin over his
remarks, asking why he had moved the court with a plea to club the FIRs against
him after abusing his right to freedom of speech and expression.
Stalin, the minister of youth welfare and sports of
Tamil Nadu, is a well-known film actor and son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and
ruling DMK chief M K Stalin.
Speaking at a conference in September, 2023, Stalin
allegedly remarked, "Sanatana Dharma is against social justice and
equality and should be eradicated." Comparing Sanatana Dharma to
"coronavirus, malaria and dengue", he reportedly said it ought to be
"destroyed".
Multiple FIRs were registered against him after his
remark in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Union Territory of
Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka.