Eminent Citizens Petition CJI Over Stalin’s Controversial Remark, Label It as Hate Speech

New Delhi, Sep 05, 2023: Over 260 eminent citizens, including former judges and bureaucrats, have penned a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, urging him to address DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s recent comment in which he used derogatory language against “Sanatan Dharma.”

The signatories, comprising 14 retired judges, 130 former bureaucrats, and 118 ex-armed forces officers, emphasized that Udhayanidhi Stalin not only made a hate speech but also declined to apologize for his remarks.

The letter expressed deep concern over the comments made by the Tamil Nadu minister, which unequivocally qualify as “hate speech” targeting a significant portion of India’s population, undermining the country’s secular foundation as envisioned by the Constitution. It called for swift action to preserve the nation’s secular character, warning that any administrative delay would invite contempt of court.

The signatories emphasized that the state government’s refusal to take action had undermined the rule of law and called upon the Supreme Court to take suo moto (on its own) notice of contempt, holding the government accountable for its inaction. They urged the Court to take immediate and appropriate measures to ensure justice and the rule of law.

The letter referred to a previous Supreme Court order, directing authorities to take action against hate speech cases without waiting for formal complaints. It underlined the importance of fostering harmony among religious communities and the need to curb hate speech.

In response to the controversy surrounding his remarks, Udhayanidhi Stalin stood by his statement, stating that he would continue to speak out against caste discrimination across all religions.

The letter concluded by emphasizing that any hesitance by authorities to act as per the Supreme Court’s directions would be viewed as contempt of court.