Sanatana Dharma propounds ‘illegal and evil practices’, DMK MP A Raja tells Madras High Court

Sanatana Dharma propounds “abominable, pernicious, illegal and evil practices” such as inequality based on caste and gender, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP A Raja told the Madras High Court on Friday, reported The Hindu.

The DMK leader made the statement on a plea urging the court to issue a writ of quo warranto directing Raja to explain under what authority they are holding public office after their comments against Sanatana Dharma.

The petition said that the MP violated the principles of Fundamental Duties under Article 51A(c(e) of the Constitution that casts a duty on every person to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India and to promote harmony and spirit of brotherhood among all people.

In September, the MP had called for eradicating Sanatana Dharma, a term some people use as a synonym for Hinduism, and termed it a disease.

“But these diseases don’t have a social stigma,” he had said, reported the Hindustan Times. “To be honest, leprosy was seen as disgusting and so was HIV [human immunodeficiency virus]. So, we need to see this as diseases ridden with social plights like HIV and leprosy.”

In a counter affidavit on Friday, Raja said that his statements about the Sanatana Dharma were his views and opinions, adding that the the Constitution...

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