Why Madras High Court declined nod to erect freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s statue on private land

‘Caste consolidation’

• No authority or no court would deny the same, considering the fact that Veerapandiya Kattabomman was a great freedom fighter and is a hero to everyone in this part of the world.
• The authorities have rejected the permission to erect his statue on the ground that the petitioner and his caste people are tracing casteism to the said great king/leader also and on that basis, now the statue is sought to be erected in the private land.
• By the impugned order, the authorities have noted with pain as to how the erection of statutes and memorials of some other great leaders who fought for our freedom are now taking a caste consolidation, shape, and every year, huge protection is being granted in this part of the world.

• When people are forgetting everything else, which are the real and tangible things in life, such as the freedom fighters fighting with great valour to save this country, etc, but remembering and considering only the non-existent thing called ‘caste’, which doesn’t have a shape, colour, odour or any existence except the existence in the minds of the people, sadly, the authorities are being forced to pass such order to refuse permission to install a statue, the court stated.
• The constitutional mandate to create a casteless egalitarian society cannot be forgotten and when the impugned order is passed, keeping that in mind, it cannot be interfered with.
• Already, a memorial is built by the government at Panchalankurichi in Thoothukudi district and nothing prevents the petitioner or others from paying their respects to the great freedom fighter at the said site.

Who was Veerapandiya Kattabomman?

• Veerapandiya Kattabomman was an 18th-century Palayakkarar (chieftain) and a legendary figure in Indian history known for his defiant resistance against the British East India Company.
• He ruled the principality of Panchalankurichi in present-day Tamil Nadu and is celebrated as one of the earliest freedom fighters to challenge British colonial rule.

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar

• Last year, the Madras High Court allowed the installation of the statue of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at a local community hall.
• A resident of Salvarpatti village in Virudhunagar district had purchased land and constructed a community hall with the intent to install the statue of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.
• It came on record that the local authorities in Sivakasi not only prevented him from installing the statue but also seized the same.
• Aggrieved by their action, the resident moved the court, praying for the handover of the statue and permission to install it.
• The court allowed the plea and said, “In view of the social profile (of the freedom fighter), installation of the statue…will not in any way disturb law and public order. ”