A few hours before the commencement of Mr. Narendra Modi’s lecture at the University Centenary Auditorium on Friday, the Madras High Court dismissed a public interest litigation petition by the Thamizhnadu Makkal Katchi seeking cancellation of the permission granted to the organisers to use the venue.
Terming Mr. Modi as communal, the petitioner said the lecture would create communal tension on the campus where students of all religions study. Last July, authorities cancelled a speech by Amina Wadud, an Islamic scholar, claiming that her speech would hurt the sentiments of some section. The petitioner said the University of Madras should follow the same yardstick in cancelling the meeting. Dismissing the petition, the Bench asked the police to ensure law and order.
