Madras High Court Quashes FIR Against Amit Malviya, Labels Udhayanidhi Stalin's Remarks Hate Speech

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court quashed a 2023 FIR against BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya, ruling that his social media post responding to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma did not constitute a criminal offence. The court held that Stalin's speech, which called for the 'eradication' of Sanatana Dharma and likened it to diseases, amounted to hate speech targeting Hindus. It noted that Malviya's reaction was a lawful expression seeking clarification and did not incite violence. The judgment criticized the lack of legal action against Stalin while those reacting faced prosecution, highlighting a historical context of ideological opposition to Hinduism by the DMK and its predecessors. BJP leaders welcomed the verdict, demanding Stalin's removal and legal action against him, while some defended the minister's intent as opposing caste discrimination.