Police told to consider representation to hold demonstrations

The Madras High Court today directed police to consider a representation of the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam to hold demonstrations in Coimbatore against predictions made on the basis of a weather forecast guide issued by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University about the dates on which various districts in the state would receive rain.
"I do not want to get into the question as to whether the contents of the almanac are scientific or unscientific. This is a larger debate, since the dates on which the lunar and solar eclipses take place, are also correctly indicated in the almanac," Justice V Ramasubramanian said.

"Therefore without getting into those details, if we have a look at what the petitioner wants, it could be seen that the petitioner merely wants to propagate rationalistic ideas. There cannot be any objection to the same in view of the fundamental right guaranteed under article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution," the judge said.
The petitioner Iniyan Ma. Nehrudhasu, President of Coimbatore City Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, had sought quashing an order of rejection by police against holding the demonstrations.
The judge directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Coimbatore, to consider the representation at least for holding demonstrations opposite to the Red Cross building and pass appropriate order in accordance with law, keeping in mind that the outfit has a fundamental right to air its views.

He then directed the Kazhagam to make a formal representation to the Deputy Commissioner within three days of receipt of the order and within three days of such representation, the DC shall pass orders.