Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the Esplanade police to register an FIR against junior pontiff of Kanchi mutt, Vijendrar, if a cognisable offence is made out in a complaint against him.
Justice M.S. Ramesh gave the directive while passing orders on a petition from advocate S. Doraisamy, also the vice-president of Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, which sought a direction to the police to register FIR against Vijendrar for allegedly disrespecting the song “Tamilthaivazhlthu” during a function, presided by Governor of Tamil Nadu, at Music Academy in Royapettah on January 23.
According to Doraisamy, as per a 1970 G.O, all functions of the state government start with the song “Tamilthaivazhlthu” and end with the Indian national anthem.
The song was sung daily in schools all over the state during the Assembly in the morning. On January 23, 2018, there was a function held at Music Academy, Chennai, presided by Tamil Nadu governor. When the Tamilthaivazhlthu was played in the function at the commencement of the function, Elaya Sankarachari of Kanchi Mutt by name Vijendrar instead of rising from the seat, with an intention to insult Tamilthaivazhlthu and to bring hatred and to excite disaffection towards the government, was sitting till the song was completed. Thereafter he behaved normally.
Therefore, Vijendrar had committed disloyalty and all feelings of enmity and excite hatred, contempt or disaffection which was punishable under section 124 A IPC (Sedition), Doraisamy added.
Doraisamy submitted that the act of Vijendrar by not standing up while Tamilthaivazhlthu was sung amounts to bringing hatred and contempt and exciting disaffection towards the Tamil language and the government.
The Tamilthaivazhlthu should be treated on par with National Anthem and thus, he had committed an offence of sedition. Vijendrar had deliberately insulted the Tamilthaivazhlthu in front of the Governor of TN. Thereby he exhibited the feelings of hatred and disaffection towards the government.
Hence he had lodged a complaint with the Esplanade Police on January 25. Since, there was no reply, he filed the petition.
