Madras HC allows govt to erect 14 Modi-Jinping banners ahead of visit

The Madras High Court (MHC), on Thursday, has asked the government to follow all the rules while erecting the banners for the Modi-Xi Jinping meeting, says no inconvenience should be caused for the public. Preparations are underway for the bilateral meetings between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping which is scheduled to happen at Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram, a historical town which is around 60 km from Chennai. The state government in association with the central teams and the Chinese officials are making all the arrangements for the smooth meeting for 3 days, starting from 11th to 13th of this month.

Tamilnadu govt prepares for Modi-Xi meeting

As a part of preparations, the state government and the MEA mentioned to the Madras high court that they want to erect banners in 14 places to welcome the top leaders of both the countries as a mark of respect. The state government also mentioned that this is a bilateral meeting happening between two strong leaders and hence they wanted to erect the banners. The state government is ready to provide an undertaking that the banners will be erected in the safety structures and it will not create any hindrance to the Public.

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Madras HC allows Modi-Xi banners

The matter came for the hearing on Thursday at the MHC which had interesting arguments. The bench comprised of Justice Sathyanarayanan and Seshsayee heard the case and put questions to the state government as to why they had approached the court to erect banners for the Chinese president. They also asked whether banners were being erected for the foreign dignitaries when they would visit Delhi.

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Arguments in HC

The AG of Tamilnadu also argued that they don't have a ban to erect banners for the Prime Minister and the Chinese President since its not a political party. He also argued that they are ready to give an undertaking that all the rules will be followed and it will not create any inconvenience to the public. The Opposing counsel, representing DMK objected to the state government's plea and mentioned that the government did not give answers for the death of two people who died because of the banners.

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Madras HC verdict

The court after hearing the arguments said that both the state and central government who have sought permission to erect banners should follow all the rules which will not cause any inconvenience to the public. They have also said that all the rules including the size of the banners and the placements should be followed and said that the government need not provide any undertaking. This is seen as a set back for the AIADMK government as they have approached court just after few days of 23-year-old Subhashri's death who died because of an illegal banner. However, the court has asked the government to go ahead and keep the banners welcoming PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since it's not political.

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