Madras High Court allows Tipu Sultan fete, with restrictions

 

Justice M.M. Sundresh, before whom the petition filed by A. Ismail, state general secretary, Thamizhaga Makkal Jananayaka Katchi, Gudiyatham, came up for hearing, directed the police to give permission. In the petition, Ismail, challenged the denial of permission to the organisation to celebrate birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan. Gudiyatham police had refused permission on the ground that neighbouring Karnataka faced law and order problems during the birth anniversary celebration of Tipu.

 

When the matter came up for hearing, the police filed an affidavit informing that the department had imposed 17 conditions for the function and that the programme may be conducted either on January 9 or on January 10 next year. 

 

The conditions include the provision that speeches shall not be made against the government and its policies and speeches shall not be made against any religion and caste. Cultural programmes would be prohibited and processions would not be allowed and speeches shall be made only about the historical life and sacrifices of Tipu. The public meeting shall be attended by not more than 200 persons. Recording the conditions, Justice M.M. Sundresh, granted permission to the organisation.