For Modi-Xi summit, Madras HC says erect banners as per rules

Conceding the request of the Tamil Nadu government, the Madras High Court on Thursday (October 3) said it has no objection in erection of flex boards to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with a rider that all rules in connection with it has to be adhered to.

Taking into account the summit of the two leaders that is to take place on October 11-12 in Mahabalipuram, on the outskirts of Chennai, the court said there was no objection to put up banners from the Chennai airport to the venue.

The court also ordered that the banners shouldn’t cause hindrance to the public. The ruling AIADMK too gave an undertaking that it would take measures to ensure that the banners don’t pose any danger to the common man or inconvenience the public at large.

Also read: TN govt seeks HC nod to erect banners for Modi, Xi Jinping visit

The division bench comprising justice Seshasayee and justice Sathyanarayanan, before whom the matter came up, said that the ban imposed by the court is applicable only to political parties.

Opposing the plea of the state government, advocate P Wilson of the DMK contended that there are other ways to welcome dignitaries and that the government has to abide by the earlier order of the court. He said, “They have to abide by the law and this is not the way to welcome dignitaries by erecting banners. There are other ways to welcome them.”

In response, advocate general Vijaynarayan stated, “If need be, we are ready to allot a supervisor to supervise the erection of these banners”.

The high court, in the aftermath of the death of R Subhasri, had banned the erection of banners.

Also read: Subhasri death case: Cops finally arrest ex-AIADMK councillor Jayagopal