Govt could've dealt with hill row better

HC told that whatever action taken on Thiruparankundram is to avoid issue from being 'blown into another Babri Masjid'

- JEGADEESWARI PANDIAN @Madurai

PERMITTING Hindu outfits to conduct a peaceful protest in connection with the Thiruparankundram hill conflict, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday observed that though the right to expression should always be subject to public peace, the government could have handled the issue in a better way. The court was referring to the collector's prohibitory order and the subsequent press statement issued by the city police preventing the public from taking part in the protest.

"Fortunately, with the able assistance of the public prosecutor and additional advocate generals, the issue has been substantially diffused and the organisers agreed to carry out their demonstration or protest at Palanganatham junction instead of the Thiruparankundram temple 16 Kal Mandapam, which will avoid inconvenience to devotees," the court said.

Based on the court's permission, the protest was conducted at the location between 5 pm to 6 pm on Tuesday and the matter was adjourned to February 19 for further hearing.