Periyanambi Narasimha Gopalan v. The Chief Secretary To

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 27.03.2019

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.KIRUBAKARAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.S.SUNDAR W.P(MD)NO.7240 OF 2019 Periyanambi Narasimha Gopalan :Petitioner .vs.

1.The Chief Secretary to Government, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Secretary to Government, Tamil Development and Information Department, Chennai - 600 009.

: Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the Petitioner's representation, dated 11.3.2019 requesting the respondents to construct a Memorial for Tamil Thattha(Grand-father of Tamil ) Swaminatha Iyer on the Thiruvalluvar Rock at Kanyakumari or on the Marina Beach at Chennai within the time fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :Mr.K.Gokul For Respondents :Mr.A.K.Baskarapandian, Special Govt.Pleader

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by S.S.SUNDAR.,J.] This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the Petitioner's representation, dated 11.3.2019 requesting the respondents to construct a Memorial for Tamil Thattha(Grand-father of Tamil ) U.V.Swaminatha Iyer on the Thiruvalluvar Rock at Kanyakumari or on the Marina Beach at Chennai within the time fixed by this Court. 2.Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner and the learned

Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents and perused the materials placed before this Court.

3.The Petitioner, who is interested in Tamil literature and has great love and affection to his mother tongue Tamil, has come forward with this Writ Petition for the purpose of constructing a memorial either in Marina Beach at Chennai or adjoining Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari District for Tamil Thatha U.V.Swaminatha Iyer. No one can deny the service rendered by Dr.U.V.Swaminatha Iyer for the Tamil Language. Dr.U.V.Swaminatha Iyer has played a major role in Tamil literature and contributed to the enrichment of Tamil literary heritage. Already, the Government has converted the U.V.Swaminatha Iyer's house in Uthamadhanapuram as a Memorial. Though the Petitioner has got some appreciation for the State Government's recognition, it is his contention that a memorial for Tamil Thattha U.V.

Swaminatha Iyer needs to be constructed at a place, which receives substantial number of footfalls round the year, suggesting a place either in Marina Beach at Chennai or adjoining the Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari District. In this regard, it will be appropriate, if a policy decision is taken by the State Government, as it involves financial burden and other issues.

4.In such circumstances, this Court is inclined to pass the following order:

The State Government/Respondents are directed to consider the representation of the Petitioner, dated 11.3.2019 and to take appropriate decision in accordance with law and wisdom, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5.With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of .No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar // True Copy // Sub Assistant Registrar(CS ) vsn To 1.The Chief Secretary to Government, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Secretary to Government, Tamil Development and Information Department, Chennai - 600 009 1CC TO MR. K. GOKUL ADVOCATE SR 56963 1CC TO THE SPL GOVT PLEADER SR 57730 DS 11/04/2019 3P 5C 0RDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.7240 of 2019 27.03.2019