Annamalai stated in an interview that a Christian missionary NGO had petitioned the Supreme Court to ban the use of firecrackers during Diwali. On Monday, the Supreme Court suspended criminal proceedings against K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief, citing allegations of hate speech against Christians [K Annamalai vs. V Piyush].
The case was presented before Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta during the week starting April 29. Senior counsel Sidharth Luthra and counsel J Sai Deepak represented Annamalai. The appeal to the apex court was prompted by the Madras High Court’s refusal in February to dismiss the criminal proceedings initiated against Annamalai.
In a YouTube interview, Annamalai mentioned a petition filed by a Christian missionary NGO to the Supreme Court seeking a ban on fireworks during Diwali.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the High Court rejected Annamalai’s plea for dismissal and directed a judicial magistrate in Salem to proceed independently. Justice Venkatesh cautioned that individuals in positions of authority and influence should be mindful of their conduct and statements, as they can have far-reaching consequences for the nation.
According to the High Court, Annamalai deliberately used a petition on environmental issues submitted to the Supreme Court to stoke communal tensions.
Justice Venkatesh suggested that given the rise of social media, a reevaluation of the definition of hate speech was necessary.
Social activist V Piyush filed the complaint against Annamalai. Annamalai was accused in a 2022 complaint filed with the Salem magistrate court of conducting an interview with a YouTube channel on October 22, 2022, just before Diwali. During the interview, Annamalai allegedly attempted to stir up communal animosity towards Christians by falsely claiming that a missionary NGO initiated the case seeking a ban on Diwali crackers.
After the Salem court admitted the case and summoned Annamalai, he filed a petition with the High Court seeking dismissal.
