The Madras High Court dismissed a PIL on Friday seeking a direction to the central government to posthumously award the Bharat Ratna to late Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa.
The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar said that the court does not want to interfere in such matters and dismissed the PIL filed by Tamil Nadu Centre for Public Interest Litigation through its Managing Trustee.
The petitioner said that he approached the court as the Centre did not reply to the representation he made on December 15, 2016.
The petition detailed the late Chief Minister’s life history, including her glittering film career that included over 140 films in three decades. Pointing out that Jayalalithaa was a five-time CM, he submitted that her primary effort during her political life was to solve the problems of the poor.
He also went on to highlight the numerous welfare schemes initiated by Jayalalithaa, including the low-cost meals at Amma Canteens, free laptops and cycles to students among others. “For these social welfare measures, she was called ‘Amma’,” the petitioner reasoned.
The ruling AIADMK was the first to call for a Bharat Ratna for Jayalalithaa. In its General Council meeting held last month, the AIADMK passed a resolution, urging its members to ensure that the former party chief is awarded the highest civilian award in India.
Jayalalithaa should receive Bharat Ratna, Nobel and Magsaysay
The Bharat Ratna is awarded in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field. The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President.
Jayalalithaa passed away on December 5 after suffering a cardiac arrest a day earlier. She had been hospitalised at the Apollo Hospital for 75 days before she died.
