Madras HC adjourns hearing on Sivaji statue to July 17

Chennai, July 14 (UNI) Madras High Court today adjourned to July 17, the hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to restrain the State Government from permitting/installing the statue of late thespian Sivaji Ganesan opposite a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the National Highways.

When the PIL filed by a freedom fighter P N Srinivasan, came up for hearing, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice D Murugesan, adjourned it to July 17.

The bench, however, observed that ''it is really paining. We have all respects for Sivaji Ganesan. Our view is that if possible change the venue.'' The bench also told Advocate General R Viduthalai ''if you say the Government has already decided to erect the statue, then we will hear the argument from both sides and pass orders on merit.'' Mr Viduthalai submitted that the unveiling of the statue was scheduled to be held on July 21 and the petitioner had come to court at the last moment. Moreover, the petitioner had sent a representation to the Government on July 12 and an order would be passed on it, he said.

The bench said ''we are conveying our views. We have highest respects for the leader. If it is possible to relocate the place, please do it. We will post the matter to Monday.'' In his PIL, Mr Srinivasan submitted that the Gandhiji's statue was a centre of attraction for the people and an example of Indian monument. Every Indian and foreigner were admiring the statue of Gandhiji, who was the father of the nation, he said and added that the installation of Sivaji's statue opposite to the Gandhiji's statue would obstruct the view of great Mahatma Gandhi.

The erection of statue on State Highways was in violation of provisions of the Tamil Nadu Highways Act and also in violation of the undertaking given by the state government before the Supreme Court, he added.

The petitioner said he had no objection if the statue was installed on the eastern side of Kamarajar Salai and in between Gandhiji's statue and Kamaraj's statue.

The statue is scheduled to come up at the junction of Kamarajar Salai-Radhakrishnan Salai opposite to a Gandhiji's statue on the National Highway.

UNI XR-AKN JJ AD RN1703