Categorization Of Castes As We Know Today Is A Modern Phenomenon: Madras HC Makes Two Modifications In Its Judgment On Speech Against Sanatana Dharma, Adds More Citations

The Madras High Court has made two modifications and has added additional citations to its widely discussed judgment in the cases seeking issuance of a writ of Quo Warranto against DMK leaders and Ministers for their alleged hate speech against Sanatana Dharma.

The Bench of Justice Anita Sumanth has uploaded a modified Judgment on the official website.

The changes are as follows:-

Earlier: However, the origins of the caste system as we know it today are less than a century old. (Para 138)

Now: However, the categorization of castes as we know them today, is a far more recent and modern phenomenon.

The High Court has given a citation for the replaced sentence as follows:- Moments in a History of Reservation – Bhagwan Das – Economic and Political Weekly, October.21 November.3 2000, Vol.35 No.43/44

Earlier: A series of lectures on youtube addresses the crying need for compatibility amongst the various schools of thought within the Hindu religion itself, such that the religion is not fragmented or divided. (Para 157)

Now: Contemporary discourse amongst vedic scholers addresses the crying need for compatibility amongst the various schools of thought within the Hindu religion itself, such that the religion is not fragmented or divided.

The original sentence had the following citation, which now stands removed:- Velukudi Krishnan on Sanatana Dharma

Earlier, the Judgment had a total of 49 citations. However, the modified judgment has 52 citations, i.e. three new citations have been added.

In the Judgment, the High Court had held that the statements of the DMK leaders on Sanatana Dharma are "perverse, divisive and contrary to Constitutional principles and ideals and tantamount to gross dis or misinformation". (read report)

While refusing to issue a writ of quo warranto against DMK MP A. Raja, Tamil Nadu State Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and P.K. Sekar Babu for hate speech against Sanatana Dharma, the Madras High Court rejected the argument of the said respondents that the reference to Sanatana Dharma is a reference to the Caste System, which is based on the Varna System found in ancient Hindu texts.

Cause Title: Kishore Kumar v. P.K. Sekar Babu (WP.Nos.29203, 29204 & 29205 of 2023 & WMP.Nos.29853, 31023 31025 & 31026 of 2023)

Click here to read/download modified Judgment