The Kerala High Court on Monday expressed concerns at flag poles, banners, festoons, and hoardings in the state. The high court observed that the flag poles were dangerously placed on the footpaths and said that political parties’ meetings should not endanger the lives of the people.
“Nobody is taking action against the illegal activities. Are we living in a state of fear? What rule of law are we talking about? The law should apply to everybody. Those in power and those who are not in power. And those in power should have more responsibility. There can only be one law for every citizen which will be binding on every one of us including political parties,” the court stated, according to The New Indian Express.
The observations by Justice Devan Ramachandran came while hearing a plea the court had initiated on its own in 2018 on the issue of unauthorised installation of flag poles and flex boards on road sides.
The court also said that such installations can cause severe consequences including accidents to both motorists and pedestrians.
During the hearing on Monday, the court, referring to the flag poles set up in connection with the coming CPI(M) conference, asked whether a political party thinks it can do anything.
It also observed that the state government turns a blind eye to what is happening when its party violates the law, but if an ordinary citizen does not wear a helmet, he is fined. “Is this the legal system that Kerala is proud of,” the judge asked and added that when he criticizes such things, he is labelled as a spokesperson for another party.
“Merely because a political party or a powerful entity intends to celebrate their conference, the lives of citizens cannot be endangered,” the court added.
It also sought to know the state government’s stand on the flag poles being set up in Kochi city, while observing that its repeated orders on the issue were being violated. It asked whether its orders would only be enforced after someone loses their life in an accident as a result of such illegal installations.
The Kochi Corporation, during the hearing, told the court that it had given permission to CPI(M) to erect the flag poles and that they would be removed on March 5 after the conference gets over. In response to the submission, the court expressed its dissatisfaction over the permission granted by the corporation and asked it to place the same on record before the next date of hearing.
It also directed that it be informed about the progress regarding removal of the flag poles after the conference. The court further said that action should be taken when flag poles are erected in violation of road safety rules.
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