Did Former TN BJP Chief Support HC's Decision to Dismiss FIR Against Amit Malviya?
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Chennai, Jan 21 (NationPress) The former head of the Tamil Nadu BJP, K. Annamalai, expressed his approval of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's decision to annul the criminal case filed against BJP national office-bearer Amit Malviya. He characterized the ruling as a significant reminder against the misuse of criminal law for political motives.
The High Court, through its order dated January 20, overturned the FIR lodged by the Trichy City Crime Branch concerning Malviya's social media post linked to remarks made by Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin about Sanatan Dharma.
This case originated from a complaint by Advocate Dinakaran, who is the district organizer of the DMK Advocates’ Wing. The complaint claimed that a post shared by Malviya on the social media platform X could incite communal unrest and disrupt public order.
The controversy began with a speech given by Udhayanidhi Stalin in 2023 at the 'Sanatana Abolition Conference', organized by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association.
During this event, the Minister made a distinction between ideologies that should be opposed and those he believed needed to be eradicated.
In his address, Udhayanidhi Stalin likened what he regarded as social evils to diseases like dengue, malaria, and coronavirus, asserting that these ailments should not just be opposed but completely eradicated.
He extended this analogy to suggest that Sanatan should face a similar fate, rather than mere opposition, thus making the conference's title fitting.
A video clip of this speech was subsequently shared by Amit Malviya on X. In his accompanying post, Malviya alleged that Udhayanidhi had equated Sanatan with lethal diseases and effectively called for its obliteration.
Malviya further accused Udhayanidhi's remarks of amounting to a call for genocide against India's populace.
In response to the complaint, the Trichy City Crime Branch charged Malviya under Sections 153 and 153A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to fostering enmity and actions prejudicial to communal harmony.
Challenging the case's registration, Amit Malviya petitioned the Madurai Bench of the High Court for its annulment.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Srimathi granted the petition and ordered the cessation of criminal proceedings against Malviya, effectively concluding the matter.