Madras HC says no to installation of statues without government first nod- The New Indian Express | Tech Reddy

By Express News Service

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the State government to ensure that no person or party installs any statue without getting prior approval from the government.
Justices R Mahadevan and J Sathya Narayana Prasad said this while hearing an appeal filed by Devendra Kula Vellalar Uravin Murai president G Balasubramanian against a recent order passed by a single judge of the court directing the removal of a bronze statue of freedom fighter Immanuel Sekaran. , which was installed by the outfit in Amaichiyarpatti village in Mamsapuram town panchayat in Virudhunagar in September 2022.

Since the statue was installed even before the authorities could dispose of the application filed by the outfit on August 29 seeking permission, the single judge had ordered that the statue be removed and kept in safe custody till that a decision is taken by the authorities.

When the case came up for hearing on Thursday, Additional Solicitor General Veera Kathiravan said the Mamsapuram town panchayat has a long history of communal violence and the previous statue of Immanuel Sekaran, at the same place, was damaged during one of these riots in 1997. After all these years, the outfit installed the new statue without obtaining permission, in complete violation of government guidelines, he argued.

The lawyer appearing for Balasubramanian said that the statue was installed only on a plot of land after other communities in the village gave in writing that they have no objections. He also said that the outfit is ready to give an affidavit that they will keep the statue covered and will not open it to the public until the authorities make a decision on the application seeking permission.

Recording it, the judges ordered the authorities to quickly dispose of the application of the suit, adding that throughout the State, no person or party should be allowed to install statues without obtaining prior approval from the government . The case was adjourned for a week.

First statue damaged during the riot
Advocate General Veera Kathiravan said the Mamsapuram town panchayat has a long history of communal violence and the previous statue of Immanuel Sekaran, at the same place, was damaged during a riot in 1997.

</p> <p>MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the State government to ensure that no person or party installs any statue without getting prior approval from the government. Justices R Mahadevan and J Sathya Narayana Prasad said this while hearing an appeal filed by Devendra Kula Vellalar Uravin Murai president G Balasubramanian against a recent order passed by a single judge of the court directing the removal of a bronze statue of freedom fighter Immanuel Sekaran. , which was installed by the outfit in the village of Amaichiyarpatti in Mamsapuram town panchayat in Virudhunagar in September, 2022. Since the statue was installed even before the authorities could dispose of the application given by the outfit on 29 August to seek permission, the single judge had ordered. the statue to be removed and kept in safe custody until a decision is made by the authorities. When the case came up for hearing on Thursday, Additional Solicitor General Veera Kathiravan said the Mamsapuram town panchayat has a long history of communal violence and the previous statue of Immanuel Sekaran, at the same place, was damaged during one of these riots in 1997. After all these years, the outfit installed the new statue without obtaining permission, in complete violation of government guidelines, he argued. The lawyer appearing for Balasubramanian said that the statue was installed only on a plot of land after other communities in the village gave in writing that they have no objections. He also said that the outfit is ready to give an affidavit that they will keep the statue covered and will not open it to the public until the authorities make a decision on the application seeking permission. Recording it, the judges ordered the authorities to quickly dispose of the application of the suit, adding that throughout the State, no person or party should be allowed to install statues without obtaining prior approval from the government . The case was adjourned for a week. Earlier statue damaged during riot Advocate General Veera Kathiravan said the Mamsapuram town panchayat has a long history of communal violence and the previous statue of Immanuel Sekaran, at the same place, was damaged during a riot in the 1997.<br />