Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 9: The division bench of the state High Court comprising of Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice C V Sabhahit, which heard the public interest petitions moved by pro-Kannada organizations seeking a stay on the unveiling of legendary Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar in the city on Friday August 7, ordered that no one can hold protest or rallies, opposing the installation of the statue of Tiruvalluvar. It has accordingly, dismissed the petitions.

The bench, in clear words, said that the government will be free to sternly deal with those, including the petitioners, their followers, supporters, organizations or third persons who resort to holding of bandhs or protests against the unveiling of this statue.

The bench remarked that both Tiruvalluvar and Sarvarja are visionary poets. By unveiling their statues in each other's states, a cordial relationship and brotherhood is hoped to be fostered between the two states. It is wrong to oppose this move, the court said. The bench, while warning the petitioners not to move such public interest litigations henceforth, asked as to whether the petitioners are aware that the emotions of the people living in the two states get hurt because of their actions.

"Even though we could have passed heavy penalties on you for moving the petitions, the court would not be levying it this time. Karnataka Chief Minister has invited Tamilnadu Chief Minister to take part in the function. If you too join the programme, the joy would be doubled," the Chief Justice remarked.

Earlier in the day, advocate general Ashok Harnahalli said that the unveiling the statue has nothing to do with the coming Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election. The decision to install the statue had been taken in 2008 itself, he said.

When the bench asked as to whether the petitioners are present in the court, it was informed that they are taking part in a protest rally against the said programme. Angered by this, the bench took the advocate for the petitioners to task and ordered that no protest programmes against the proposed statue installation can be held.