Tamil Nadu : High Court upholds ban on protests at Marina beach

A bench, comprising Justice KK Sasidharan and Justice R Subramanian, quashed the order passed by Justice T Raja in April that gave permission to P Ayyakannu, the leader of National South Indian River Interlinking Agriculturist Association, to hold a protest at the beach.

The bench said that the beach cannot be used for such activities as public order is equally important

The High Court verdict came in response to an appeal filed by the state Government, challenging Justice Raja’s order that allowed Ayyakannu to observe a fast on the beach.

The fast was planned to highlight the plight of the farmers in relation to the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
Justice Raja had said, “Had the then British Government banned Marina Beach from being used for any public meeting, Marina would not have witnessed the presence of Mahatma Gandhi and Thilakar on its sands for the noble cause of Freedom. Therefore, when the then British Government itself did not think of banning the demonstrations at the Marina Beach, this Court is not inclined to accept the submissions made by the respondent.”