DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin faced the Supreme Court’s ire for his wildly insensitive comparison of Sanatana Dharma to diseases.
The bench pulled him up sharply, remarking that being a leader, he must be conscious of consequences before making statements.
Udhayanidhi sparked a major row last month by stating the eradication of Sanatana Dharma was the first task and likening it to illnesses.
His comments understandably drew intense criticism nationwide, and several cases were filed against him.
However, in court, Udhayanidhi maintained his view was against casteism, not Hinduism per se. But the judges were unimpressed.
The rebuke underlines how public figures, especially those in power, must choose words carefully to avoid sowing unnecessary discord.
It remains to be seen if this stern experience moderates Udhayanidhi’s rhetoric on sensitive community topics in the future.
