In a recent unfolding of events, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Chandrachud, denied a request for the urgent listing of a plea that was presented by a lawyer associated with the Madras High Court. The plea pertained to some divisive comments made by Udhayanidhi Stalin, a current minister in Tamil Nadu. These remarks were voiced during a conference notably titled the 'Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference', a forum that has since found itself at the center of controversy. It was here that Stalin equated the principles of Sanatana Dharma, a foundational tenet in Hindu philosophy, to entities as disdainful as mosquitoes and the coronavirus, urging its complete eradication.

Despite the serious nature of the remarks and the stir it has created, CJI Chandrachud remained steadfast, urging the concerned parties to adhere to the standard operating procedures that have been outlined by the court, rather than seeking an urgent listing of the plea. He dismissed the request, emphasizing the need to follow the established pathways for such proceedings.

The plea, which has now garnered significant attention, initially sought a decisive declaration from the highest court of the land. It appealed for an acknowledgment stating that the participation of state ministers in the event held on September 2, 2023, contradicted the principles laid out in Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, thus being deemed unconstitutional. These articles pertain to the freedom of religion in the country, a facet that seems to have been compromised according to the petitioner.

Adding to this, the plea contains an additional demand, wherein it calls upon the Director General of Police in Tamil Nadu to take immediate and decisive action against those who organized the contentious conference. This also extends to those who reportedly engaged in the propagation of hate speech during the event. Notable names include Stalin himself, accompanied by individuals such as PK Sekar Babu and Peter Alphonse. The plea fervently urges that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against them, aiming to bring them to task for the inflammatory discourse reportedly witnessed at the conference.

In the recent development of events surrounding the contentious 'Sanatana Dharma Eradication Conference', G Balaji, the advocate responsible for filing the initial petition, has called for a more intensified level of scrutiny into the matter. His demand transcends the boundaries of mere remarks and seeks a comprehensive probe into the very organization of the event, spearheaded by none other than Udhayanidhi Stalin, the incumbent Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development in Tamil Nadu.

With allegations flying thick and fast, Balaji has put forth the necessity of a CBI investigation. The objective is to meticulously assess if the conference had been bankrolled by means potentially linked to terror funding, drawing particular attention to the possible involvement of Sri Lankan Tamil LTTE funds.

Moreover, the petition vehemently opposes the demonization of Hindu Dharma through events such as these, especially when held in secondary schools across the state. Drawing upon a relevant Supreme Court judgment, the plea categorically denounces attempts to malign and misrepresent the religion in such public forums.

As the scrutiny around the conference escalates, it has come to light that this isn't the first instance where Stalin has faced backlash for his viewpoints. Notably, a similar petition was previously lodged by a Delhi-based lawyer, who took a stand against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his derogatory stance on Sanatana Dharma. This plea had extended to seeking contempt action against the Delhi Police, criticizing their purported non-compliance with the Supreme Court guidelines pertaining to the complaint filed against Stalin's inflammatory speech.

Furthermore, the gravity of the situation is underscored by a substantial section of the society rallying against these remarks. On September 5, an ensemble of 262 prominent individuals, encompassing former high court judges, bureaucrats, and war veterans, came forward to express their disdain. They collectively submitted a letter to the Chief Justice of India, urging him to initiate suo motu cognizance of Stalin’s disparaging remarks concerning Sanatana Dharma.

The controversy found its roots on September 2, when Udhayanidhi Stalin took to social media to vent his grievances against Sanatan Dharma. In his post, he equated the revered Hindu philosophy to ailments like 'malaria' and 'dengue,' an analogy that drew wide condemnation. In his interaction with X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), Stalin held Sanatan Dharma responsible for fostering division among people based on caste and religion. Standing his ground, he asserted that the abolition of Sanatan Dharma equated to upholding the principles of human equality and humanity. Furthermore, he claimed his remarks represented the voice of the oppressed and marginalized sections of society, who have allegedly suffered due to the principles of Sanatan Dharma.

As the clock ticks down to the scheduled hearing on September 22, all eyes are firmly fixed on how this highly charged issue will unfold in the legal corridors. The stakes are high, and the repercussions significant, as the nation watches intently.