Madras High Court
R.K.Ravichandran vs The Chief Secretary on 10 November, 2014
Author: V.Ramasubramanian
Bench: V.Ramasubramanian
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated: 10.11.2014 Coram:
The Hon'ble Mr.Justice V.RAMASUBRAMANIAN Writ Petition No.24732 of 2014 R.K.Ravichandran, Secretary, Iyyapanthangal-Bharaniputtur Human Rights and Consumer Rights Protection Association, Chennai-122. .. Petitioner Versus
1. The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu, Fort.St.George, Chennai-9.
2. The State of Tamilnadu, rep. by its Secretary to Government, Tamil Development Department, Fort. St.George, Chennai-9.
3. The District Collector, Thiruvallur District, Thiruvallur. .. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to pass orders to commemorate the birth anniversary of Thiru.Vi.Ka., which falls on 26th of August and to celebrate the same as Government festival, to declare the death anniversary of Thiru.Vi.Ka., which falls on 17th September as memorable day and conduct Government functions in memory of the said great leader and to construct arch or manimandapam at prominent place stated in the petitioner's representation dated 31.5.2014.
For Petitioner: Mr.S.Kumaradevan For Respondents: Mr.R.Vijayakumar, AGP.
The petitioner has come up with the above writ petition seeking a direction to the second respondent to consider his representation for celebrating the birth anniversary of Thiru.Vi.Ka. as a Government function, for declaring his death anniversary as a memorable day and for constructing a manimandapam in his remembrance.
2. Heard Mr.S.Kumaradevan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.R.Vijayakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondent.
3. Thiru.T.V.Kalyanasundara Mudaliar, popularly known as Thiru.Vi.Ka. was an eminent scholar in Tamil, a fluent speaker, a great writer and one of the earliest leaders of the Trade Union Movement in the country. After a brief stint as a teacher in a school and as a Tamil Lecturer in a college, Thiru.Vi.Ka. joined the editorial staff of a Tamil daily known as "Desabhakthan" in 1917. In 1918 he established the Labour Movement for the first time in South India. Thereafter, he started the Tamil weekly by name "Navasakthi" in 1920. He became the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee in 1926. As a matter of fact, his works, along with that of a few of his contemporaries, set the tone for the modern Tamil prose. He published one of the Tamil interpretations of Gandhiyan Thoughts. He was greatly influenced by Saint Vallalar. He authored about 50 books during his life time. Some of the books like "Murugan Azhagu" are treasured till date.
4. Interestingly, Thiru.Vi.Ka. nurtured great friendship with Justice T.Sadasiva Iyer. After the Madras Labour Union was started on 04.07.1920, the infamous lockout of the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills was declared on 21st October and several cases were registered against the workers. The labour trouble continued for over a year. After having a colourful life for about 71 years, Thiru.Vi.Ka. passed away in the year 1953.
5. Considering the multifaceted personality of Thiru.Vi.Ka and the contribution that he made to the development of Tamil language, Tamil culture and the Trade Union Movement, the petitioner gave a representation dated 31.05.2014 to the second respondent. Since the said representation did not evoke any response, the petitioner has come up with the above writ petition seeking a limited mandamus.
6. In the light of the above, considering the limited nature of the prayer made, the writ petition is disposed of directing the second respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated V.RAMASUBRAMANIAN, J gr.
31.05.2014 and take action in accordance within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.
10.11.2014 Index:Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Rs/gr.
To
1. The Chief Secretary,Government of Tamilnadu, Fort.St.George, Chennai-9.
2. The Secretary to Government, Tamil Development Department, Fort. St.George, Chennai-9.
3. The District Collector, Thiruvallur District, Thiruvallur.
W.P.No.24732 of 2014