Muthukumar.S v. The Government Of India

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.01.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.M.SUNDRESH and W.M.P.(MD) No.16378 of 2020 S.Muthukumar ... Petitioner -vs1.The Government of India Secretary to Government Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Room No.552, A wing Shastri Bhawan New Delhi-110 001 2.The Chairman Prasar Bharati Secretariat Prasar Bharati House Doordarshan Bhawan Copernicus Marg New Delhi-110 001 3.The Director General Doordharshan Doordarshan Bhawan Copernicus Marg New Delhi-110 001 4.The Director Doordarshan Kendra 5, Swami Sivananda Salai Chepauk, Chennai-600 005 ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus forbearing the respondents 1 to 4 from telecasting Sanskrit news in Doordharasan Podhigai Tamil Television Channel and to direct the first respondent to allot funds equally for the development of all languages found in eighth schedule of Constitution of India by considering the petitioner's email representation dated 16.12.2020 in accordance with law. 1/3

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Kannan For Respondents: Ms.L.Victoria Gowri Assistant Solicitor General of India

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by The Hon'ble CHIEF JUSTICE] This pertains to telecast of Sanskrit news on the Doordharsan channel.

2. For one, the Doordharsan channel has limited viewership. Secondly, it is a matter for the Government to decide. Thirdly, the news read in Sanskrit hardly takes up a fraction of the entire day.

3. There are matters of greater social concern, which need to be addressed and such petty issues need not be looked into by the Court. When the writ petition does not find the Sanskrit seems to be tasteful or useful, there is no compulsion for the petitioner to tune in and it is open to the petitioner to switch off the television and get some other form of entertainment during the period the Sanskrit news is read. We hope that the petitioner keeps up his public spirit and brings matters involving public interest to Court.

4. The writ petition is disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to make an appropriate representation to such authorities that may receive it. The observations here should not affect the rights of anyone concerned. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) Note :

In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate / litigant concerned.

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krk / ssl To:

1.The Secretary to Government, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Room No.552, A wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001.

2.The Chairman, Prasar Bharati Secretariat, Prasar Bharati House, Doordarshan Bhawan, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi-110 001.

3.The Director General, Doordharshan, Doordarshan Bhawan, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi-110 001.

4.The Director, Doordarshan Kendra, 5, Swami Sivananda Salai, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

and W.M.P.(MD) No.16378 of 2020 18.01.2021 SMV (CO) NR (02/02/2021) 3P : 5C 3/3