CHENNAI – In a sharp political escalation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for the immediate resignation of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, accusing him of insulting Hindus and proving unfit for public office. The demand follows a landmark ruling by the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench, which quashed an FIR against BJP leader Amit Malviya.
BJP Tamil Nadu spokesperson ANS Prasad hailed the court’s January 20 decision as a constitutional and moral indictment of Stalin’s conduct. ‘This verdict exposes Udhayanidhi Stalin’s utter incapacity to hold public office,’ Prasad declared, emphasizing that criticizing inflammatory statements cannot be criminalized.
The controversy traces back to September 2023, when Stalin, speaking at a conference, likened Sanatan Dharma to diseases like malaria, dengue, and coronavirus, calling for its eradication. These remarks sparked outrage, wounding the sentiments of millions who revere the ancient faith.
Justice S. Srimathi ruled that Malviya’s social media response to Stalin’s comments did not constitute a crime, terming the FIR a gross misuse of legal processes. Prasad argued this validates BJP’s long-standing position against weaponizing police machinery to stifle dissent.
‘Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom and equality before the law, fostering harmony among communities,’ Prasad stated. He insisted that a minister sworn to uphold it cannot publicly demean any faith. The BJP views the court’s order as reinforcing accountability for public figures’ words.
This isn’t mere political posturing, Prasad stressed. ‘Resignation is a constitutional and ethical imperative.’ As Tamil Nadu’s political fault lines deepen, the ruling could reshape debates on free speech, religious sensitivity, and ministerial responsibility in India’s diverse democracy.