Madras High Court Permits Indu Makkal Katchi To Garland Ambedkar's Statue On Condition That Saffron Dhoti Or Tilak Won't Be Put On It

The Court, however, granted the permission subject to conditions like the members would not raise any slogans and speech against anyone, would not play any instrument, would not cause any hindrance to the traffic or general public and would not put on the statue ‘Kavi (Saffron) Dhoti,’ ‘Sandal Thilagam,’ ‘Kum Kum’ or ‘Vibuthi’. The Court disposed of the Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, directing the Police to consider the Petitioner's representation.

A Single Bench of Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan ordered, “In view of the above, this writ petition stands disposed of on the terms of undertaking given above. The affidavit of undertaking given by the petitioner shall form part of the order. In violation of the conditions imposed by this Court by the petitioner and other 25 members will be viewed seriously and it is open to the respondents police to initiate appropriate legal action as per law.”

Advocate S Venkateswaran appeared for the Petitioner, while Government Advocate A Gopinath represented the Respondents.

Brief Facts

The Order was issued in response to a Writ Petition filed for adequate police protection for the Petitioner and the founder and State President, Arjun Sampath, along with 25 other members of the ‘Indu Makkal Katchi, Tamilnadu.’

The State strongly opposed this Petition, arguing that if the permission was granted, it would create disturbance to the public order and peace.

However, the objection was refuted by the Petitioner, who submitted an undertaking affidavit stating that they would not raise any slogan/s and speech against anyone, not play any instrument, not cause any hindrance to the traffic or general public, and not wear ‘Kavi Dhoti’ or Sandal Thilagam or Kum Kum or Vibuthi to the Ambedkar Statue. 

"The objection raised by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) is refuted by the learned counsel for the petitioner, who submitted that the petitioner earlier filed an undertaking affidavit stating that they would not raise any slogan/s and speech against anyone; not play any instrument; not cause any hindrance to the traffic or general public; not wear “Kavi Dhoti” or Sandal Thilagam or Kum Kum or Vibuthi to the Annal Ambedkar Statue", the Court noted.

Court’s Order

The Bench noted, “Considering the representation given by the petitioner and the fact that in similar circumstances, this Court is of the considered view that the petitioner may be granted with the permission as prayed for. Now the petitioner has given an Affidavit of undertaking and he has also agreed to abide by any condition imposed by the respondents police.”

“This Court is of the opinion that taking into consideration of the undertaking given by the petitioner, the respondents may be directed to give police protection,” the Bench stated.

Consequently, the Court held, “In view of the above undertaking given by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant permission to the petitioner and the founder and State President Shri.Arjun Sampath along with 25 members to garland the statue of Annal Dr.Ambedkar, situated at Ambedkar Memorial Hall, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai 600 028 on 14.04.2025 between 04.00 p.m. and 04.30 p.m.”

Accordingly, the High Court disposed of the Petition.

Cause Title: A. Arunkumar v. The Home Secretary to Government & Ors. (W.P.No.12879 of 2025)

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