Thane: Maharashtra’s Mira Road police on Tuesday night registered an FIR against Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks on Sanatan Dharma, an official said.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi recently blamed Sanatan Dharma for promoting division and discrimination among people and said it should be eradicated. He also compared the Sanatan Dharma with diseases like dengue and malaria, which sparked controversy.
Based on a complaint filed by a local resident, the Mira Road police registered the FIR against Udhayanidhi under Indian Penal Code Sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), the official added.
The complainant claimed that the Tamil Nadu minister’s remarks have hurt the sentiments and religious feelings of those who follow the Sanatan Dharma.
Last week, another FIR was lodged in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur against Udhayanidhi for allegedly outraging religious feelings. The FIR also named Congress leader and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge for backing his remarks.
Another complaint was also filed in Bihar. BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu also demanded the registration of an FIR against the minister and handed over a memorandum to the state police on Tuesday.