PIL seeking denial of permission to Modi event dismissed

Chennai: Madras High Court today dismissed a petition, seeking to cancel permission granted to a function at the Madras University campus here, in which Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is to participate this evening. A Division Bench comprising Justices T Mathivanan and K B K Vasuki dismissed the PIL and said the Chennai Police Commissioner should give protection to the event and see that no untoward incident takes place.

Objecting to Modi's participation in the function, Thanga Tamizhselvan president of Tamizhnadu Makkal Katchi, in his PIL contended, it was not fair to allow a political leader "known for his Hindu fundamentalism" to speak at the university. The petitioner referred to an incident where permission granted to American Islamic scholar Amina Wadud to speak at the same venue was cancelled on the ground that her speech might hurt the sentiments of some sections.

He also argued that Madras University is funded by the Tamil Nadu government and the Governor is its Chancellor, where students belonging to all religions, irrespective of religion, caste or creed, are given education. He said he had made representations to Chennai Police Commissioner and the University Vice Chancellor to cancel the meeting. The meeting at the University has been arranged by the Palkhivala Foundation to release a book authored by Arun Shourie.