Madras High Court Upholds Refusal Of Permission To Erect Freedom Fighter’s Statue On Ground Of Caste Consolidation; Emphasises Mandate Of Casteless Egalitarian Society
The Madras High Court took note of the fact that the petitioner and his people were tracing casteism to the said leader, and on that basis, the statue was sought to be erected on private land.
Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, Madras High Court
While observing that people are forgetting how the freedom fighters fought with great valour to save the country and considering only the non-existent thing called ‘caste’, the Madras High Court has upheld a decision of the authorities rejecting the permission to erect a statue of the freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman.
The High Court took note of the fact that the petitioner and his people were tracing casteism to the said leader, and on that basis, the statue was sought to be erected on private land.
The High Court was considering a Writ Petition seeking the quashing of the impugned proceedings and a direction to the respondents to grant necessary permission to erect a bronze statue of the freedom fighter, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, in the petitioner’s own land in Uadikulam village.
The Single Bench of Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy observed, “When people forgetting everything else, which are the real and tangible things in life, such as the freedom fighters fighting with great valor to save this country, etc, but remembering and considering only the non-existent thing called ‘caste’, which doesn't have a shape, color, odour or any existence except the existence in the minds of the people, sadly, the authorities are being forced to pass such order to refuse permission to install a statue.”
“Already, a Memorial is built by the Government in Panchalangurichi, Thoothukudi District and nothing prevents the petitioner or others from paying their respects to the great freedom fighter at the said site”, it added.
Advocate E.V.N.Siva represented the Petitioner, while Special Government Pleader M.Lingadurai represented the Respondent.
Factual Background
The authorities had rejected the permission to erect his statue on the ground that the petitioner and his caste people were tracing casteism to the said king/leader, and on that basis, the statue was sought to be erected on private land. By the impugned order, the authorities had noted how the erection of the statutes and Memorials of some other great leaders who fought for freedom was now taking a caste consolidation, shape and every year, huge protection was being granted.
Reasoning
The Bench noted that Veerapandiya Kattabomman was a great freedom fighter and has been a hero to everyone in that region. “The constitutional mandate to create a casteless egalitarian society cannot be forgotten, and when the impugned order is passed, keeping that in mind, it cannot be interfered with”, it added.
Taking note of the fact that a Memorial was already built in the area and the concerned people can pay their respects, the Bench refused to interfere with the decision.
Cause Title: S.Kumarasamy v. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government (Case No.: W.P(MD)No. 6601 of 2026)
Appearance
Petitioner: Advocate E.V.N.Siva
Respondent: Special Government Pleader M.Lingadurai, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) K.Gnanasekaran