“Protectors Of Sanatana Dharma Should Not Use Unsavoury Words”: Madras High Court Orders Social Media Detox For Temple Activist

The bench of Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice N Mala was hearing a contempt petition filed by industrialist Venu Srinivasan who informed the court that the temple activist, Rangarajan Narasimhan, was continuing to make derogatory comments against him on social media platforms in spite of an earlier order restraining him from making such comments.

Srinivasan, in particular, pointed out to two posts made by Rangarajan on the platform “X” (previously twitter) where he had used unsavoury words like “vesi” which was the Tamil word used to refer to a sex worker.

To this, the bench remarked that people who claimed to be the protectors of Sanatana Dharma should not be using such unsavoury words, and the use of words like Vesi could never be encouraged. The court then went on to impose a fine of Rs 2000 on Narasimhan and ased him to refrain from posting anything for 2 weeks.

“Those claiming to be the rakshak of Sanatana Dharma should not use unsavoury words like Vesi, which refers to sex workers, on social media platforms. We cannot but object to the use of the word Vesi for it admittedly refers to sex workers. Use of such unpalatable words cannot be encouraged,” the court commented.

The court had previously restrained Narasimhan from making wild allegations against Srinivasan on social media in connection with the alleged missing of a peacock idol from the Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore. When Narasimhan continued to make objectionable tweets, Srinivasan approached the court with a contempt plea which was closed after Narasimhan tendered an unconditional apology.

Srinivasan again approached the court when Narasimhan continued to make derogatory posts saying that Narasimhan’s conduct left no room for any further sympathetic consideration adding that if he was not dealt with strictly, it would tarnish the majesty of the court.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Mad) 340

Case Title: Venu Srinivasan v Rangarajan Narasimhan

Case No: CONT P 2403 of 2022