File photo of the Madras High Court.
Credit: PTI File photo
Chennai: Terming the removal of a statue of the Bharat Mata from a BJP office by Tamil Nadu police as “high handedness”, the Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered the state government to return the bust to its owner, the BJP.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh, who heard the case, contended that it is not the business of the state to “control affairs” inside a private space and regretted that such acts are “highly condemnable” and should never be allowed in the future.
“I have no doubts in my mind that the respondents have high-handedly taken away the statue of Bharatha Matha from a private property, probably due to pressure exerted elsewhere,” the judge concluded in his verdict.
The statue was bought by the Virudhunagar district BJP in 2016 and installed in its office but the police issued a notice citing guidelines from the high court that no new statue should be installed.
However, the BJP moved court arguing that Bharat Mata is a symbol of India and the statue was installed in its office premises as a symbolic representation of one nation.
“The case raises an interesting issue concerning the boundaries of the right to freedom of speech and expression on private property…No person in his right senses could seriously contend that expressing one’s patriotism and love for one’s country would imperil the interests of the State or the community,” the judge said.
Placing a statue of Bharat Mata in one’s garden or home is akin to creating a personal shrine that embodies hope, unity, and respect for the land. “It invites reflection on the ideals of freedom, resilience, and cultural identity that Bharatha Matha represents,” the judge added.
Unlike public figures, whose statues often require permissions due to their potential impact on public sentiment and communal harmony, the installation of a statue representing one’s cultural and national identity in a private space can be viewed through a different lens, the judge added.