The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Tamil Nadu government's decision to construct a 134-foot-tall 'Pen Statue' as a memorial to DMK patriarch and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The bench of Justices S.K. Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia dismissed the PIL as withdrawn, granting the petitioners the liberty to approach other appropriate forums for alternative remedies.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate P Wilson, representing the DMK government, argued that the plea was "politically motivated" and lacked public interest. He asserted that coastal regulation clearance had already been obtained for the memorial and refuted any harm to the ecosystem, fishermen, or Olive Ridley turtles. Wilson claimed that the PIL was an attempt to shadow fight, instigated by the opposition AIADMK.
The PIL, filed in January 2023, sought the Supreme Court's direction to cancel the Tamil Nadu government's decision to construct the 'Pen Statue' on the Marina beach. The petitioners raised concerns about the impact of the memorial on the marine life and ecosystem of the beach. They suggested that Chennai had enough land available to build the memorial elsewhere in the city.
The 'Pen Memorial,' envisioned by the DMK government led by M.K. Stalin after it came to power in 2021, received approval from the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change's Expert Appraisal Committee in April 2023. However, the project faced opposition from local fishermen and social and environmental activists who voiced concerns about its potential impact on the coast.
During the Supreme Court hearing, the bench emphasized that the issue, if related to the environment, could be addressed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). It questioned why everything had to be brought directly to the Supreme Court and suggested that the NGT could consider such matters. The Court refused to intervene further in the case, considering that the environmental clearance had already been granted.
The 'Pen Statue' memorial holds significance for the DMK party, honouring its late leader M. Karunanidhi, but has raised debates about its environmental implications and suitability for Marina beach.
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