On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected the Tamil Nadu government’s bid to install a bronze statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Tirunelveli district. The Division Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra openly questioned the move, remarking why public funds should be diverted to “glorify former leaders” instead of being used for genuine public welfare.
Senior Advocate P. Wilson, appearing for the state, sought to justify part of the project by requesting the court to permit an arch that had already cost the exchequer around Rs.30 lakh. The Bench, however, declined to address the request and upheld the Madras High Court’s earlier order.
The High Court had previously ruled that the state cannot authorize statues in public spaces, observing that such decisions cause traffic congestion and public inconvenience. It further suggested that creating a dedicated Leaders Park would be a more meaningful step, offering space for youth to understand the ideas and ideologies of past leaders without burdening public areas.
The Court also states that since the Supreme Court itself had prohibited the installation of statues in public places, the state government was in no position to pass orders that violated this principle.
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