Madras High Court refuses to allow meet against Dravidian ideology, laments inaction against Sanatana Dharma eradication meet

No one in the country has a right to conduct meetings to eradicate any ideology, the Madras High Court said recently while declining to grant permission for conducting a conclave on the "eradication of Dravidian ideologies.".The Court also faulted the Tamil Nadu police for not acting against members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) who had made inflammatory speeches at a conclave held earlier on the "eradication of Sanatana Dharma", terming the police inaction a clear case of “dereliction of duty.”.Justice G Jayachandran said that the “co-existence of multiple ideologies” was part of the identity of India and that those in power should refrain from propagating divisive ideas..The Court made the observation while dismissing a petition filed by one Magesh Karthikeyan who sought police permission to hold a meeting on “eradicating the Dravidian ideologies" in Chennai..“No one can expect Courts to aid them to propagate ideas to create ill-will among the public. Some Members of the ruling party and ministers participated in the meeting held for eradicating “Sanatana Dharma” and no action has been taken by the Police against them which is dereliction of duty on the part of the Police. Since police failed to act against those who had uttered inflammatory speech to eradicate “Sanatana Dharma”. Now, permission to counter it by conducting meeting to eradicate “Dravidian Ideology”. If the request of the petitioner is acceded, it will cause further disturbance to the peace and tranquility of the public, who are already fed up by the way some of the fringe groups in support of persons who have taken Oath of office to preserve the Spirit of Constitution, act in breach of their Oath. This Court cannot perpetrate by permitting the petitioner to hold conference to eradicate Dravidian Ideology,” Justice Jayachandran said..The judge went on to say that those in positions of power must behave responsibly and refrain from doing anything that might divide people along the lines of ideology, caste and religion..“This Court is of the view that, person in power should realise the danger of speech unflaring fissiparous tendency and behave responsibly and restrain themselves from propagating views which will divide people in the name of Ideology, Caste and Religion. Instead, they may concentrate on eradicating intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injuries to health, corruption untouchability and other social evil,” the Court said..Advocate BA Sujay Prasanna appeared for the petitioner, Magesh Karthikeyan.Government Advocate S Udaya Kumar appeared for the respondent, the Tamil Nadu Police..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.