HC declines to interfere

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court today said it was not inclined to give a direction to the government to name the Madurai airport after freedom fighter and Thevar community leader, late Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.
A division bench, comprising Justice R.Sudhakar and V. M. Velumani, who were hearing the PIL filed by B.T.Arasakumar, President of 'Desiya Forward bloc', however, said the Director General of Civil Aviation could consider the request of the petitioner, and disposed of the petition.
The petitioner said the issue of naming the airport after Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, who fought against untouchability, had been discussed in Parliament twice. He was also a well-recognised national leader. Even his statue had been installed in Parliament.

The petitioner said he had also sent a representation to the government urging to name the Madurai airport after Pasumpon Muthurmalinga Thevar. But no action had been taken, he said and sought a direction from the court for it.