Source : Bar and Bench
The Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and S Ananthi declined to entertain the plea, observing that the declaration sought may endanger the federal and secular fabric of the country. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently had occasion to emphasise on the secular and federal nature of India while dismissing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition which sought a declaration that Lord Muruga is a "Tamil God". The PIL was dismissed by an order passed on February 4.
The same day saw the High Court deal with a PIL to change the English form of , "Tamil Nadu" to "Tahmizhl Naadu" or "Thamizhl Naadu”, as it was originally written in the Tamil language. This plea was viewed more favourably, with the Court choosing to dispose of the case by directing the State authorities to consider the petitioner's representation. The Court proceeded to remark that while it found some force in the petitioner's submissions, it did not wish to interfere with the discretion of the State authorities on the issue. Therefore, it disposed of the plea by directing the State to consider the petitioner's representation in the matter within eight weeks' time.