Madras Bar Association

CHENNAI: Debate over defanging of Article 370 by the Centre may be raging everywhere. But a scheduled speech on the issue could not take place inside Madras Bar Association (MBA) premises on Wednesday, owing to opposition from the legal wing of the BJP.

As part of the MBA’s Academic Lecture Series, designated senior advocate KM Vijayan was to deliver a speech on the Centre’s handling of Article 370 during the lunch break on Wednesday. However, hours before he was to take the podium, a representation was received by the MBA office-bearers objecting to the event.

Senior advocate and MBA president ARL Sundaresan, confirming the cancellation of the event, told TOI: “We received a letter from the BJP legal wing, signed by its office-bearer L Kumaraguru, requesting us to postpone the matter because the matter is subjudice.”

The development received condemnation from several lawyers, with former judge of the court, Justice D Hariparanthaman calling it more than Emergency. “What is wrong in debating it? Why stop it? The MBA ought not to have cancelled it, more so because it is not known to anyone as to what was Vijayan’s stand. How can actor Rajinikanth alone comment on it? Does it mean only those supporting the Centre’s decision could voice their views?”

Recalling the pivotal role the famed Madras Bar played in crucial national developments, Justice Paranthaman said: “If an elite association is not able to conduct a peaceful debate of the issue, then it is a dangerous trend. That it should happen in Tamil Nadu worries me.”

Vijayan said it was the MBA which came with the suggestion. “They asked me, and I agreed. From the beginning I made it clear I will only speak about the constitutional validity of the decision. All along I have never uttered even a single word about the Congress or the BJP. It was supposed to be out and out a legal event, as I am a constitutional lawyer.”

Expressing disappointment that one of the country’s oldest Bar association should buckle under threat, Vijayan said that now the Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA), which is the biggest lawyers’ body in this part of the world, was scheduled to hold the event next week.

“No one needs to accept my view. I am neither a member of any political party, nor issuing any political statement. If a lawyer’s forum cannot debate Constitution inside the court in Tamil Nadu, where else is it possible?,” asked Vijayan.

Justice Hariparanthaman wondered how it needed only a miniscule minority to disrupt and stop a meeting nowadays. “It is a negative trend, and more than Emergency,” he said.

