The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Supreme Court for initiation of contempt proceedings against former Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi and his son M.K. Stalin and the DMK Students Wing secretary for giving a call to students, parents and teachers to boycott classes on Friday in support of Samacheer Kalvi (Uniform System of School Education).
Education Secretary files petition
The petition filed on Friday by the State Education Secretary said Mr. Karunanidhi, Mr. Stalin, secretary, Youth Wing, and Ela. Pughazhendi, secretary, Students Wing of the DMK, issued a press release calling for the agitation in support of the USSE.
It said, “Importantly, the announcement made in the DMK headquarters in Chennai specifically refers to the engagement of lawyers and fighting [in court] to prevent the implementation of Samacheer Kalvi Education Scheme.
On this basis, Mr. Karunanidhi and two others had asked students, parents and teachers to boycott the schools and colleges on Friday, July 29, purportedly to add strength to the support of Samacheer Education.
‘Matter sub judice'
It said, “The reports specifically state that the boycott is being called for since the present government went to the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Madras High Court. Hence, the call is being given with the intent and now attempt to influence and pre-empt court proceedings as it were and to generate public opinion and emotions in respect of a matter which is sub judice before the Supreme Court and would amount to contempt of court.
The government further said the Sun TVchannel telecast an interview of advocate K. Balu, (impleaded as Respondent No. 5) who made comments about the proceedings in Supreme Court, which apart from being impermissible were a distortion of the court proceedings.
“Adverse comments”
Similar interviews were conducted by Kalaignar TV, making adverse comments about the action of the State in seeking to appeal against the judgment of the Madras High Court and in not implementing the Uniform System of Education immediately. Hence, the government wanted initiation of contempt proceedings against the advocate concerned and the two television channels, besides Mr. Karunanidhi and two others.
