Madras HC Slams Tamil Nadu Minister for 'Sanatana Dharma' Remarks, Quashes FIR Against Amit Malviya

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{ "title": "Madras HC Slams Tamil Nadu Minister for 'Sanatana Dharma' Remarks, Quashes FIR Against Amit Malviya", "article": "In a scathing verdict, the Madras High Court has set aside an FIR filed against BJP leader Amit Malviya for criticizing Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on 'Sanatana Dharma'. The court ruled that it was unfair to punish Malviya for reacting to Stalin's speech, while no action was taken against the minister himself. The controversy began in 2023, when Stalin compared Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria, and called for its abolition at an event called the 'Sanatana Abolition Conference'. Malviya shared a video clip online, questioning Stalin's words, and a complaint was filed against him, accusing him of spreading hatred and false information. The High Court expressed strong disappointment over the 'troubling trend' of people who make offensive statements going unpunished, while those who react to them face police action. The court noted that Stalin's remarks were 'hate speech' and that continuing the case against Malviya would be 'wrong and harmful'. Malviya had argued in court that he had only shared what was already public and asked questions about Stalin's speech, which he claimed was misunderstood. The court upheld his argument, stating that his reaction did not break the law and that keeping the case alive would misuse the legal system. This verdict comes as a significant blow to Stalin, who has been accused of promoting 'hate speech' against a significant portion of India's population. The Madras High Court's ruling has sparked hope among those who believe in the importance of free speech and the need to hold public figures accountable for their words."