The Madras High Court has directed the Director of Legal Studies in Chennai to issue a circular mandating the installation Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's portrait in all Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu.

"Dr.Ambedkar is the architect of the Indian Constitution. He is the very symbol of social liberation. His scholarship is unparalleled. He can be the greatest inspiration for every law student. The Director of Legal Studies, Chennai is requested to issue circular mandating the installation of the portrait of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar in all the Government Law Colleges in Tamil Nadu.", Justice GR Swaminathan directed.

Justice GR Swaminathan also observed that Dr. Ambedkar's photograph was not on the walls of his chambers, hence he expressed thus "Charity should begin at home. As I was finalizing the draft order dictated in the open court, I looked around. I confess that the photograph of Dr.Babasaheb is not on the walls of my chambers. I resolved to make good the omission at the earliest."

The Court was dealing with a writ petition filed by a fourth-year law student who was suspended from the college following a disciplinary action against him.

He wanted a portrait of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar to be installed in the office room of the Principal and also wanted the course to be taught in Tamil. But the petitioner had conducted himself in a manner so as to raise the hackles of the college administration. He is alleged to have uttered rude and defiant words at the Principal which led to his suspension from the college.

The Court had indicated that he could give a handwritten letter of apology addressed to the Principal, in which event, the Court could persuade the college management to give a quietus to the issue.

Advocate K.P.Krishnadoss appeared for the Vice Chancellor and Government Advocate V. Om Prakash appeared on behalf of the Principal of the Government Law College.

When the matter was taken up again, the Government Counsel informed the Court that the portrait was installed in the office room of the Principal.

Following this, the petitioner wrote a handwritten letter expressing his unconditional apologies to the Principal.

"The petitioner belongs to a Scheduled Caste community. He had not indulged in any act of violence. He had merely taken up a legitimate public cause. He is now in the fourth year. He had expressed his sincere apologies. Therefore, the principle of proportionality demands that the matter is given a quietus. The petitioner had already been kept away from the classes for two weeks. He does not deserve to suffer anything more. I therefore direct the fourth respondent to treat the matter as closed.", the Court held.

The Court also directed the Madras High Court Advocates Welfare Board Trust to pay a sum of Rs. 10,000/- to the petitioner to buy some law books.

"I had directed remittance of cost of Rs.10,000/- in one case in favour of Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Advocates Welfare Board Trust. I had indicated that the money was to be spent for the welfare of a law student belonging to scheduled caste. The said Trust is called upon to pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- to the petitioner. It will help him to buy some standard law texts which can be the foundation for his law library. Dr.Ambedkar said "Be Educated, Be Organised and Be Agitated". The petitioner must focus on the first advice for the next two years.", the Court held.

Cause Title- S. Sasikumar v. The Vice Chancellor & Ors.

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Madras High CourtJustice GR SwaminathanBabasaheb Ambedkar

Ashish Shaji