Lawyer moves HC for removing MK’s pictures from govt offices

CHENNAI: A Madurai-based lawyer has approached the Madras High Court for removing pictures of former chief minister and DMK leader M Karunanidhi from government offices as well as the websites of the state government.

The first bench of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice N Mala adjourned the proceedings on a plea filed by S Venkatesh to September 23, directing the petitioner to furnish the translated copy of his annexures. The petitioner prayed for a direction to declare that displaying the photos of former CM M Karunanidhi in government offices and government websites is illegal and arbitrary.

“I seek a direction to the state to issue circulars to all departments concerned prohibiting them from using pictures of former CMs or other personalities not allowed by law and to diligently comply with the orders of the Supreme Court in the matter of using photos in government publications,” the petitioner submitted.

The petitioner further noted that it is discriminatory vis-d-vis other former CMs and leaders; and eminent personalities, both present, and past. “It will lead to the benefit of the ruling party, its leaders, their legacy, etc., at the expense of the public resources, money,” the petitioner said in his affidavit.

Venkatesh contended that it will lead to misuse and loss of public funds for the sake of glorifying personalities connected and related to the ruling establishment of the day and it will lead to developing the image of one or few persons, which is an antithesis of democratic functioning.