What research done on Sanatana: Udhayanidhi asked to present texts in court
What research was done to understand the ‘Sanatana Dharma’ before the controversial remarks on it, the Madras High Court asked Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday.
The remarks were made by Justice Anitha Sumanth, who was hearing petitions, that questioned why Udhayanidhi Stalin, HRCW Minister Sekar Babu, and MP A Raja continue to hold office, despite their remarks on the ‘Sanatana Dharma’, LiveLaw reported.
Advocate P Wilson, appearing for Udhayanidhi, said that the minister’s remarks were based on Dr BR Ambedkar’s texts. In the texts, Ambedkar had called for the eradication of the Varnashrama Dharma, the advocate said, adding that the caste system had its roots in it.
He also said that Udhayanidhi’s remarks were based on the texts published by the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) between 1902 and 1937.
Justice Sumanth then asked advocate Wilson to present a copy of the texts in court, based on which Udhayanidhi drew parallels between Sanatana Dharma and Varnashrama Dharma.
When asked to present the texts, Udhyanidhi said that he should not be expected to do so, as that would be in violation of Article 20(3) of the Constitution. “No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself,” the article says.