Thread by @savukku

Thread on #VelYatra
TN BJP today cut a sorry figure before the Madras High Court, when they moved for a direction to TN government to grant permission to the Vel Yatra.

Counsel for the BJP, Sr Counsel Raghavachari, said that BJP leader Murugan, 1/n

just wanted to visit a Murugan abode and he has every right to worship the god. However, Justice Sathyanarayana pointed out that the initial representation of the BJP for permission to Vel Yatra, mentioned that BJP leader Murugan is touring the state for 2/n

(1) Supervision of Covid relief work (2) Permission to visit all Murugan abodes (3) Permission for vehicle movement (4) Permission to conduct public meeting. The Bench interfered with the BJP counsel and insisted that the BJP makes it stand clear, 3/n

whether this is a religious congregation or a procession of vehicles. The Bench also pointed out that in more than half a dozen of the routes the BJP sought permission there were no Murugan temples at all. 4/n

The Bench bombarded the BJP with questions on their prayer. We have seen all today’s newspaper reports. We can take cognizance based on them. When the temples are going to be forever, what is the urgency for BJP leader Murugan to visit the temples so urgently. 5/n

BJP counsel pointed out that ADMK party conducted a huge event last week in their party office at Lloyds road without following social distancing. He again insisted no one requires permission to visit a temple. 6/n

To this the Bench told the counsel, if you don’t need any permission why are you approaching the DGP ? You go ahead, the law will take its own course. Bench also pointed out that the rejection of permission to the Vel Yatra by SP, Thiruvallur has not been challenged. 7/n

“You cannot take any route you want for your yatra. One day you will start from Tiruthani, you will return to Chennai, then you will go to other district. This cannot be allowed by the authorities. 8/n

You need to have some responsibility. Don’t ask police to regulate you. You self-regulate yourselves. Do not use the courts to settle your political scores. There is no mention either in the representation or in the affidavit that only 30 people will accompany. 9/n

We know the difficulty of the authorities. If you are regulated you will cry for human right violation. If you are not regulated there will be law and order problem. The option before the authorities is between devil and deep sea” said Justice Sathyanarayana. 10/n

When the Bench pointed out the date 6th December 2020 – anniversary of Babri demolition, counsel for the BJP said, “It is Sashti on that day. Now Ramar has come. Everyone from the Muslim community have forgotten the past incident”. 11/n

However, the Bench said, fringe elements may create trouble and there was extra security every year on that day.

The petition stands adjourned to 10th December for BJP to file an additional affidavit, swearing to abide by all conditions, 12/n

not more than 30 people will accompany BJP leader Murugan, not more than 15 vehicles will go etc. In the meantime, BJP leaders will meet TN DGP LK Tripathy tomorrow and insist for grant of permission. 13/n

The TN BJP which planned this mega Vel Yatra with much fanfare and attempted to use this to create law and order problem in the state, stands with egg on their face. The Vel Yatra has turned out to be a damp squib. 14/14