The Madras High Court observed that Sanskrit news on Doordharsan TV telecasted for miniscule time duration and petitioner had the option to close or change the channel for that specific time period.
For one, the Doordharsan channel has limited viewership. Secondly, it is a matter for the Government to decide. Thirdly, the news read in Sanskrit hardly takes up a fraction of the entire day.
This observation was made by the Division -judge bench of Madras High Court, comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice M. M. Sundresh while dealing with the petition filed by the petitioner named S.Muthukumar under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus forbearing the respondents from telecasting Sanskrit news in Doordarasan Podhigai Tamil Television Channel and to direct the respondent to allot funds equally for the development of all languages found in eighth schedule of Constitution of India by considering the petitioner's email representation dated 16.12.2020 in accordance with law.
The Court held that:
“There are matters of greater social concern, which need to be addressed and such petty issues need not be looked into by the Court. When the writ petition does not find the Sanskrit seems to be tasteful or useful, there is no compulsion for the petitioner to tune in and it is open to the petitioner to switch off the television and get some other form of entertainment during the period the Sanskrit news is read. We hope that the petitioner keeps up his public spirit and brings matters involving public interest to Court.”
The Bench dismissed the writ petitions and suggested the petitioner to make an appropriate
representation to such authorities that may receive it.
Case Details
Case: W.P.Nos. 19651 of 2020
Petitioner: S.Muthukumar
Respondent: Union of India & Ors
Counsel for the Petitioner: Mr.A.Kannan
Counsel of the Respondents: Ms.L.Victoria Gowri
Quorum: Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice M. M. Sundresh
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